Australia postpone Bangladesh tour due to fears over player safety

Australia's Steve Smith in action on day one of the Third Test on July 29, 2015
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Australia postpone their month-long tour of Bangladesh after receiving a "credible" threat to player safety.

Australia have postponed their tour of Bangladesh due to fears over the players' safety.

The team were due to fly out to the South Asian country on Monday, but they put the trip on temporary hold when the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade informed them of a possible security risk.

After hearing of the potential danger, Cricket Australia decided to opt out of the month-long tour and sent their 15-man Test squad home.

"After six days of extensive deliberations and research, we've come to the conclusion that we have no other alternative than to postpone our tour to Bangladesh," CA chief executive James Sutherland said. "It's a very disappointing outcome from our perspective.

"Six days ago we were informed by ASIO and our Department of Foreign Affairs that there was a credible risk to Australians in Bangladesh and we've worked through a rigorous process to try and understand that. In the end, all things considered, we've made this decision to postpone the tour for now and we'll enter into discussions with the Bangladesh Cricket Board about when we can play this cricket series next.

"It's not really appropriate for me to go into specific detail on this, but all I can say is that the threats were credible and real and targeted, not only against Westerners but against Australians."

The team will now take part in the Matador BBQs One-Day Cup, which gets underway in Sydney on Monday.

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