Howell rejects PCA advice and heads for Bangladesh

Gloucestershire allrounder Benny Howell has become the first professional cricketer in England openly to reject advice from the players' association not to take part in the Bangladesh Premier League.

Howell - the top wicket-taker in this year's NatWest T20 Blast but still relatively unknown - will join up with Khulna Titans in November. He confirmed his intention to travel as he agreed a new three-year contract with Gloucestershire.

The Professional Cricketers' Association has advised England-qualified players against participating in this year's BPL on security grounds. It was happy to sanction the England tour of Bangladesh after the PCA chief executive, David Leatherdale, was centrally involved in the process, but does not anticipate the same level of protection at the BPL.

But Howell said: "It is a massive opportunity for me. It is a league on the up and I hope the experience can help me push on to the next level and bring me closer to achieving my dream of playing for England.

"It is going to be very different to playing here in England but I am just going to try and enjoy it and try to learn as much as I can from playing with and against some of the best T20 players in the world."

Respected for his skilful variations and changes of pace. Howell took 24 wickets - two more than any other bowler in the country - in the 2016 Blast as Gloucestershire finished top of the South Group. He also finished fourth in the Most Valuable Player rankings for the tournament.

He will not be alone: among the England-qualified players expected to take part in the BPL this year are Ravi Bopara, Tymal Mills, Riki Wessels, Samit Patel, Josh Cobb and Richard Gleeson.

The PCA's chief executive, David Leatherdale, has warned: "The PCA is supportive of the opportunity for players to play in any T20 league, including the BPL, provided those events constitute approved cricket and that players are provided with adequate protections and safeguards for contracts, security and anti-corruption.

"At this stage we, and the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations, have not seen security plans for this event nor details of who will be providing security services during the tournament.

"The current England tour to Bangladesh was given the go-ahead after a detailed security visit by a delegation, which included myself, and following input from the Bangladesh government about the level of security that would be provided.

"It remains unclear whether a similar level of security will be provided for the Bangladesh Premier League which will involve a number of teams playing at different venues around the country.

"The political and security landscape in Bangladesh is volatile and needs to be constantly monitored in the lead-up to the event.

"The latest advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is that there is a heightened risk of further terrorist attacks against westerners and visitors to the country should remain vigilant, monitor local and social media and follow any specific advice from local security authorities to avoid certain areas.

"In those circumstances the PCA is advising its members not to travel to Bangladesh to play in the BPL. However those who do decide to travel as individuals do so at their own risk and, as in previous years, will be required to sign a disclaimer to that effect before they receive a No Objection Certificate from the England and Wales Cricket Board."

Howell joined Gloucestershire at the end of the 2012 season and was a key part of the club's Royal London One-Day Cup winning team in 2015, averaging 42.8 with the bat and taking 15 wickets during that campaign.