Andrew Strauss issues deadline to England on decision to tour B'desh

Issuing a deadline to the England players, team director Andrew Strauss has given his side three-day time to decide if they are willing to tour Bangladesh amid ongoing security concerns in the country.

All-rounders Moeen Ali and Chris Jordan have given their consent for the tour while Test skipper Alastair Cook had reportedly given a private assurance about his availability.

However, limited overs captain Eoin Morgan and opener Alex Hales are yet to commit to the tour due to safety worries.

"Would I like both our captains to be on that tour? Absolutely, definitely. The captain has certain roles and responsibilities that are greater than just looking after themselves. He obviously has a duty to the team. But they're still human beings - and I think that's an important point to make. They have their own thoughts, concerns, issues and views on life - and we've got to understand that," Strauss was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

The 39-year-old also hinted that if anyone opted out of the tour then he could face the risk of losing their international position.

"I think, at its most simple, 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," the former England skipper said.

"But that's a choice people have to make themselves, and they have to weigh up all sorts of different things when they come to this decision. Everyone has a different attitude to risk, different thoughts about what their priorities in life are. That's fine - that's their decision," he added.

The security concerns have sharply risen in the Asian country since last month's terror attack in Dhaka, which killed 20 hostages, including nine Italians.

England's players were earlier given a choice to decide whether they want to tour Bangladesh later this year in the wake of the security concerns despite the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and its longstanding security expert, Reg Dickason, deeming the trip to Dhaka as safe.

Expressing his confidence on the report submitted by Dickason, Strauss believes the security plan would mitigate the risk to an acceptable level while adding that he still hopes to see everyone touring Bangladesh.

"I genuinely believe that and that is why I'm encouraging every player to use that incredibly detailed and experienced view point from Reg to make a judgment," he added.

England are slated to play a three-match ODI series and two Tests in Bangladesh, starting from October 7 at Sher-e-Bangla in Dhaka.