Bangladesh - Australia Test series still in limbo

Australia's two-Test series in Bangladesh remains in limbo over security fears despite Cricket Australia (CA) receiving safety assurances from the Asian country's government.

Darren Lehmann's side were due to leave for Bangladesh on Monday ahead of the series, which was scheduled to begin in Chittagong on October 9 after a three-day warm-up game in Dhaka on Saturday.

But CA delayed the team's departure following a warning from Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's (DFAT) of "reliable information" of a threat to Australians in Bangladesh.

A CA security delegation visited Bangladesh over the weekend and was said to be set to report to authorities on Wednesday after returning home.

However, the killing of an Italian aid worker in Dhaka on Monday has raised concerns further.

"The situation is now different after the death of the Italian national," Bangaldesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan is quoted as telling reporters. "The UK and US governments have also given out alerts.

"This is a very rare incident in Bangladesh but one has to understand the difference between this and a cricket team that is given blanket security.

"In the space of a day and a half we took them to the highest level of our security and intelligence agencies, the home minister, as well as the prime minister's security advisor.

"Everyone reassured them that there won't be any trouble. We will give them four-layered security."

In the meantime, those selected in Australia's touring squad are reported to have returned to their state teams.

Captain Steve Smith, wicketkeeper Peter Nevill and spin bowler Nathan Lyon are back with New South Wales and Peter Siddle and Glenn Maxwell are training in Melbourne.

Australia's football team are due to play a World Cup qualifier in Bangladesh in November.