MX23RW : Friday, December 20 11:44:07| >> :600:1235443:1235443:

England to cancel Bangladesh tour?

England could reportedly cancel their winter tour of Bangladesh amid security fears.

England are reportedly considering scrapping their tour of Bangladesh this winter over safety concerns.

The ECB's chief security officer Reg Dickason will visit the country next week to assess the situation following the recent bombing of a cafe in capital city Dhaka.

According to The Telegraph, Dickason will file a report outlining his thoughts on whether the country is safe for players, officials and England fans to travel to, with the ECB then making a final decision in the coming weeks.

England are due to play three ODIs and two Tests against Bangladesh in October in Mirpur and Chittagong but could now either stay at home or play an overseas tour in a country deemed more 'safe'.

In a statement on Friday, the ECB said that it was "premature" to discuss the possible cancellation of the tour and also dismissed reports that the ECB would allow players to make their own decisions on whether to travel to Bangladesh.

"There has been no discussion on players being allowed to opt out," said England assistant coach Paul Farbrace, who was in the Sri Lanka team coach that was attacked by terrorists in Lahore in 2009.

"We had a chat with the Test and ODI squads about 10 to 12 days ago and we agreed we wouldn't talk about Bangladesh until they [the security team] get back and make a report. Until they get back, there is nothing to talk about.

"It would be a huge call to decide not to tour. Teams not going to Pakistan is a dreadful shame. I was on bus in Lahore and we were lucky to survive that. Player and staff safety is paramount but it's a huge decision for a country to decide not to go. Bangladesh are looking forward to us going."

England are currently engaged in their final home Test against Pakistan.

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Written by
Neil Wilkes
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Paul Farbrace photographed on January 9, 2014
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