England set off, all aboard

The England team were due to fly to Abu Dhabi on Thursday to train ahead of the two-Test series, due to begin in Chennai on December 11. The second Test is now scheduled for Mohali. The Test squad will be accompanied by nine members of England’s High-Performance Squad.

“Everybody has become a lot more open-minded as to their decision,” said Pietersen, who was flanked at the Heathrow Airport press conference by PCA representative Sean Morris, and ECB managing director Hugh Morris.

“(The players) realise the importance of returning to India, to go back and do what we do best — playing cricket for England. We want to get the opportunity to go back and take a stance. They’ve come home and spoken to family members which has been very important.

Buying time

“We want to rub shoulder to shoulder with the Indian people in their time of need. I feel really proud to be captain of such a great bunch of guys.”

Pietersen acknowledged that the opportunity to stop off in the Gulf and gain some crucial practice time ahead of the first Test was key in affirming the decision to return to India on the advice of security expert Reg Dickason.

“We’re going to buy ourselves some more time being in Abu Dhabi,” Pietersen added. “We will be waiting on the reports from Hugh, Reg and Sean. If there are any major catastrophes or alarm bells ringing then Hugh will be ringing the board to say that the collective issue is to come home.

“Reg is out in India at the moment, and we’ll assess the situation on Sunday night. But I’m very confident we’ll have the 15 players going out and playing a Test next week. As it stands we’re off to play some red-ball cricket in Abu Dhabi, in order to start the Test in Chennai on Thursday.”

Morris, on his part, said that no player would be pressurised into making the tour. “While we have sought to reassure players their safety is paramount, we have not pressurised any player into making the trip against their will,” he said in a statement.

One thing we won’t do is twist arms,” Morris said. “Over the next few days we’ll absolutely get the most up-to-date information.

“If our security team comes back and feels the situation is safe and secure then we will go.

“If a player is doubtful then we’d have to discuss things with that player. If everybody is on the same sheet we’ll be on the plane to India.”

Pietersen refuted suggestions that he needed to talk any individuals into going to Abu Dhabi. “I didn’t persuade anybody,” Pietersen explained. “I respect everybody’s individual concerns and the processes they have to go through. Ultimately they make decisions for themselves. I’m not sure that extra persuasion was needed.”

Meanwhile, BCCI secretary N. Srinivasan said in a statement: “Based on the discussions held and the clarifications given, BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) expects no problem with the first Test being held in Chennai.”

Sidebottom ruled out

The only member of the 15-man party not returning will be seam bowler Ryan Sidebottom, who has a side injury. Paceman Stuart Broad will remain in England for treatment on a hamstring problem but is expected to travel in time for the second Test.