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Smith disapointed to miss Bangladesh

2nd October, 2015
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Australian captain Steve Smith is adamant the scrapping of the Bangladesh tour due to terrorism fears won’t compromise his team’s preparation for the tough home series against New Zealand.

The Test squad players have been slotted back into their state squads for the domestic one-day competition in Sydney starting on Monday after this month’s scheduled two-Test tour of Bangladesh was called off late on Thursday.

Smith said on Friday the players weren’t consulted before the decision but he supported it despite disappointment at opportunities lost for the new-look squad on what would have been his first tour as skipper.

“Obviously the safety and security of the players is the biggest concern,” said Smith on Friday.

“Cricket Australia has worked really closely with DFAT and ASIO over the last week or so and have come to the conclusion that it’s not safe enough for us to travel at this time.”

The postponement has deprived the Australian side of valuable experience in testing sub-continent conditions, where recent teams have invariably struggled.

“It would have been a great opportunity for all these guys to come together and play some cricket, in sub-continental conditions where we haven’t done so well, so obviously really disappointing for us,” Smith said.

“Really disappointing for the Bangladesh fans as well. I really feel for them.

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“They were all looking forward to us coming over, to playing over there so hopefully we can get an opportunity to get over there at some time.”

Although the postponement robs Smith and his squad of Test competition before facing New Zealand in November, he was adamant the Australians would still be sufficiently well prepared to face the recently well-performed Black Caps.

“The guys are going to go back and play some Matador Cup (domestic one-day competition), I guess that’s a positive out of the situation,” Smith said.

“All the Australian players are going to be available, so it’s going to be an extremely competitive competition.

“We’re going to get an opportunity to play a Shield game before the summer starts so the preparation will be fine.”

He acknowledged the composition of the side for the first Test against New Zealand could be different and that might work against some of the squad picked for Bangladesh.

“I’m sure they will still be in the frame. I think it’s completely different conditions to what we’re going to face over there in the sub-continent,” Smith said.

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“We’re going to have to weigh that up and see what the best side is to win the first Test match at the Gabba.

Despite the delay, Smith was still excited at the prospect of leading an Australian side as fulltime captain for the first time.

“It’s a magnificent opportunity, it’s a pretty new look side at the moment, and it’s a generational change in Australian cricket,” Smith said.

“I’m really excited about leading this team going forward.”

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