Cricket: NZ to travel to U-19 World Cup despite Australian withdrawal

NZ Cricket CEO David White. Photo / Photosport

New Zealand have no plans to follow Australia and pull out of the under 19 cricket World Cup in Bangladesh this month.

The New Zealand squad, coached by former national team assistant Bob Carter, are flying out of Auckland tonight for warmup games in Dubai en route to Bangladesh.

Cricket Australia last night withdrew their side from the tournament, citing safety and security concerns.

However, New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White confirmed today New Zealand will proceed as planned.

''We are monitoring the situation on a daily basis," White said today.

''We are working through the ICC (International Cricket Council) and we are comfortable with the security plans put in place by the ICC and the Bangladesh government."

''There is a security buffer placed around teams in transit and at venues enforced by the police and armed forces, and we have our own security person there are well."

CA are understood to be reacting to safety concerns specific to Australian citizens as advised by their government. It pulled out of a test tour to Bangladesh late last year on similar grounds.

''The difference is the threat is, as we understand it specific to Australian nationals," White said.

''For the likes of us, England, South Africa etc there's a risk for westerners but not specific to our nationals. That's the issue Australia had prior to Christmas as well."

White said there is still the potential to withdraw before the tournament, after the team spends time in Dubai if it was warranted.

At this stage, NZC are confident of taking full part in the tournament, which New Zealand have never won.

''We deal with this all the time. It's not unusual for sporting teams. It's a big part of what we do now. We have advice from security people every time we travel," White added.