England cricket’s security adviser on Sunday began a "thoroughgoing and robust" inspection of the team’s winter touring destinations "that will decide whether they go to Bangladesh in October," according to Nick Hoult of the London TELEGRAPH. Reg Dickason, a former Melbourne police officer, "has worked for several years" for the England & Wales Cricket Board and "will be trusted to make the call on whether England will tour Bangladesh after a terrorist attack in Dhaka in July." Dickason is heading first for India and then Bangladesh "on a two-week trip checking on security arrangements in place for the team." England is due to play three one-day internationals and two Tests in Dhaka and Chittagong, leaving for Bangladesh on Sept. 30 and heading straight to India on Nov. 2. England one-day captain Eoin Morgan expressed "big concern" over the trip and the ECB said it would follow government advice. Dickason will "demand a high level of security not just at the hotel, but also on the route to the ground where it is felt targets are most vulnerable." The ECB "is reluctant to call off the tour knowing this could set a precedent that would have huge repercussions" for Bangladesh cricket, but it has to "weigh up not just the safety of players and officials but also media and supporters intending to travel" (TELEGRAPH, 8/6).
