I can’t force anyone up the steps to the plane: Andrew Strauss

Andrew Strauss, the director of England cricket, has indicated that he cannot force players to go to Bangladesh but at the same time has cautioned them that missing the tour would mean risking their place in the team in the future.

The tour, after having come under a doubt due to security concerns, received a green signal from  England and Wales Cricket Board’s security director, Reg Dickason. It begins this month and will feature three one-day internationals and two Tests. But, at the moment, it remains skeptical to see if England will be touring with a full-strength squad or not.

Strauss will meet every probables at ECB’s national cricket academy in Loughborough of this week in order to ascertain their position before the squads are finalized on the 16th.

“We feel it’s safe to go and I genuinely believe that and that is why I’m encouraging every player to use that incredibly detailed and experienced viewpoint from Reg to make a judgment.”

Also, read – Miandad was one of the biggest patriots I have seen: Imran Khan

“I think if you’re making your own opinions, based on your own perceptions, then you’re in a bit more of a grey area there. That’s why I’m urging the players to take Reg’s advice, and follow that advice and I’m still hopeful players will do that.”

He added, “I can’t force anyone up the steps to the plane and say – ‘You have to go to Bangladesh.’ People have their own decisions to make. I think, at its most simple level, the big consequence for not going is you are giving someone else an opportunity to step into your shoes and stake a claim for themselves.”

“That’s just the same as if someone gets injured; you are out of possession of that spot in the team for a certain period of time and, if someone does really well, then you can’t give any guarantees. But that’s a choice people have to make themselves. Everyone has a different attitude to risk and different thoughts about what their priorities in life are.”

So far, Moeen Ali and Chris Jordan have publically said they will tour, with Jonny Bairstow indicating he will do the same. Strauss confirmed that the rest of the players will inform the ECB of their decision on Friday or Saturday, with squads to be named on 16 September.

Also, read – I’m a big MS Dhoni fan: Lance Klusener

But, limited overs skipper Eoin Morgan and Alex Hales seems to be considering whether Bangladesh, where 20 hostages were killed during a terrorist attack in Dhaka couple of months ago, is safe to tour or not.