Australian players sent back to state squads

 

Australia's Test cricketers have been sent back to their state squads, with the Test tour of Bangladesh now almost certain to be cancelled due to safety concerns. Cricket Australia's security staff arrived home from Dhaka on Tuesday night and were to report to the Cricket Australia board and the Australian Cricketers' Association on Wednesday.

Although no official announcement is expected from Cricket Australia until at least Thursday, there appears little prospect of the two-Test tour proceeding. The 15 members of the Test squad have been told to resume training with their state squads, which are preparing for next month's Matador Cup one-day tournament.

Australia's coach Darren Lehmann said he expected a decision to be made within 24 hours, but was not too hopeful. "It's getting pretty tight now, to be honest," Lehmann told 5AA radio. "We're still on hold. The security guys got back from Bangladesh today so they're obviously speaking to board as we speak. Hopefully we come to some sort of answer in the next 24 hours or so.