Cricket news 2024: Alyssa Healy says Bangladesh World Cup is the wrong thing to do

Amid ongoing political unrest in Bangladesh, Australian captain Alyssa Healy has joined the chorus calling for cricket to take a back seat ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup in the country.

Australian women’s cricket captain Alyssa Healy has stated she would feel uncomfortable if the T20 World Cup later this year proceeded in Bangladesh as planned.

Political turmoil has engulfed Bangladesh in recent months, with more than 300 people reportedly killed in protests against the government.

The World Cup is slated to begin on October 3, but there is still no confirmation from the International Cricket Council (ICC) where the tournament will occur.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) stated that they would notstep in to host the tournament with the United Arab Emirates firming as the best alternate.

Speaking at the launch of Cricket Australia’s Play Cricket Week on Monday, Healy strongly voiced her belief that cricket should not be the priority in this situation.

Students have been protesting in Bangladesh as they demand a trial against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Picture: Luis Tato/AFP

“I find it really hard to see a cricket event going on over there at the moment and taking resources away from a country that is really struggling,” Healy said. “They’re needing everyone they can possibly get in there helping people that are dying.

“I’d find it hard to fathom playing there at the moment, as a human being, I feel like it might be the wrong thing to do. But I’ll leave it to the ICC to work out.”

Healy’s position falls in line with the Australian Government which has currently issued a travel warning for Bangladesh.

“Do not travel to Bangladesh overall due to the volatile security situation, civil unrest and terrorism,” the Smart Traveller website states.

The Australian team have put a lot of preparation into the tournament being held in Bangladesh, including playing six white-ball matches in Dhaka earlier this year.

However, Healy is confident that any late change to the location of the World Cup would not impact how the team performs.

“We’re obviously blessed we got to Bangladesh and got a taste of those conditions,” Healy said. “But wherever we get put, we’ll be ready to adapt.

“I think we’re pretty relaxed as a group about what it’s going to look like. I feel like we’re so well balanced in the 17 players that we get to choose from, wherever the World Cup gets put, I think we’re going to have the right squad to take it on.”

Australia came away victorious during their recent T20 series in Dhaka earlier this year. Picture: Abhishek Chinnappa/Getty Images

The team will ramp up their preparations for the tournament with the squad for the World Cup set to be announced next week. They are also a month away from their first match of the new season, with a three-game T20 series against New Zealand starting in Mackay on September 19.

One player who could be involved is quick Tayla Vlaeminck. After an injury-interrupted career, the 25-year-old is working back to her best form and played three matches in the this month’s Australia A series against India A.

“I mean, you throw a Tay and a Darcie Brown into your side, having them at the same time is really helpful, but if you’re able to rotate them through a T20 World Cup or an Ashes series, knowing the all-rounders that we’ve got, it’s a huge advantage for our team,” Healy said.

“It’s nice to see Tay back playing some good cricket. Our fast bowling depth is a really strong one for the minute if they can keep staying on the park.”

Originally published as Cricket news 2024: Alyssa Healy says Bangladesh World Cup is the wrong thing to do