Bangladeshi army commandos rappelled into the national stadium on Thursday "as they staged a war game designed to reassure England’s cricketers over their security" on the eve of the opening one day int'l of "their controversial tour," according to the AFP. More than a dozen commandos "scaled down ropes from helicopters hovering over the nets at Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium," which is hosting the first two games in a three-match series beginning on Friday night. England & Wales Cricket Board Security Chief Reg Dickason, who "eventually endorsed the tour after paying a field trip to Bangladesh, expressed his satisfaction on Thursday with safety measures at the ground." Dickason: "What we witnessed today is a graphic demonstration of the response capabilities of the Bangladesh Army and other security agencies. It gives a lot of confidence touring a wonderful country and to have the support of the agencies as well. The security overall with the experience in Bangladesh is outstanding" (AFP, 10/6). In London, Nick Hoult reported England captain Jos Buttler "admitted to a sense of alarm and shock" at seeing TV pictures of the evacuation drill being carried out by Bangladesh special forces at the cricket ground in Mirpur "as they continue to be on red alert for a terrorist attack." Bangladesh’s anti-terrorist police "held a dramatic mock evacuation." They fired blank bullets and fake tear gas canisters "before rushing into the players’ dressing room where they evacuated people posing as cricketers into the waiting helicopters." Buttler: "It was very visual and I was actually watching Sky Sports News and saw the pictures. It’s quite eye opening and something you hope that we will never ever have to see -- it’s a shock and it’s sad that it has to be there. But everything has been in good order. Travel to and from the ground has been great for us although I’m sure it’s been a bit frustrating for the locals. Security has been great so far, I think the guys within the group haven't even mentioned it" (TELEGRAPH, 10/6).
