Alex Hales admits he’s worried about touring Bangladesh with England as players might be vulnerable while batting
Opener feels stars can be protected in their hotel, on the coach and in the dressing room but he's still not sure over security
ALEX HALES is worried about touring Bangladesh because he may be vulnerable while batting.
The 6ft 5in England opener, 27, says he knows players can be protected in their hotel, on their coach and in the dressing room.
But he has told friends he is not sure he will be 100 per cent safe standing in the middle of a field.
Next month’s tour was only given the go-ahead following a security review by the ECB after a terrorist attack in Dhaka in July.
But Notts star Hales does not believe advisors can be sure nobody will take a pot-shot at the players and is weighing up his fears, knowing if he stays at home his Test career could be over.
He has failed to score a century in 11 Tests and somebody such as Lancashire’s rising star Haseeb Hameed, 19, could take his place.
Hales should return to the one-day team for the visit to India in January after impressive recent innings, including a record 171 against Pakistan at Trent Bridge.
England chiefs are expected to announce today which players will go to Bangladesh, with the ODI squad leaving on September 29.
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White ball skipper Eoin Morgan is not travelling and wicketkeeper Jos Buttler is lined up to take over as captain. Hales is thought to be the only remaining waverer.
England supremo Andrew Strauss has conducted a series of one-to-one meetings with players over the last 48 hours.
He wanted a final decision on Bangladesh but also did annual performance reviews and discussed the details and salary of their next 12-month central contracts.