England will resume their tour to India after receiving assurances over their safety from the ECB's security advisors.

After spending the last 72 hours consulting security experts and Government agencies, the ECB announced this evening that the squad will depart for Abu Dhabi tomorrow before flying on to India to resume their two-Test series, which will underway next week. All members of the original squad will fly with the exception of Ryan Sidebottom, who has a side strain, while Stuart Broad will remain behind for further treatment on a hamstring injury but fly out directly to India once he he is declared fit.

Hugh Morris, Managing Director England Cricket, had outlined to the England players that the tour would go ahead subject to security recommendations being implemented.The England Test squad will practice in Abu Dhabi along with nine members of the England Performance Squad and will fly on to India early next week for the Test matches in Madras (Chennai), which is due to start on December 11 and Mohali [December 19] if the security recommendations have been implemented.

All the players have received reports from the ECB security team and also the recommendations that Reg Dickason, the team security adviser, has insisted the Board of Control for Cricket in India put in place. While England are practising in Abu Dhabi, Hugh Morris and Sean Morris, the chief executive of the Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) will join Reg Dickason, who is currently in India, ensuring that all ECB security requirements have been fully and effectively implemented for both Test venues.

"The only consideration in all our discussions has been the safety and security of the team and support staff," Hugh Morris said. "We have been delighted by the input of the Professional Cricketers' Association and also the willingness of the The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to act upon our recommendations regarding security.

"While we have sought to reassure players that their safety is paramount we have not pressurised any player into making the trip against their will. Those who leave for Abu Dhabi are all anticipating travelling to India if both Sean and I are happy that Reg Dickason’s security plans have been activated. The Board and players will be kept fully informed."

The team flew home from India on Saturday after their two remaining one-day internationals were cancelled following the terrorist attacks in Mumbai that killed nearly 200 people.

Sean Morris said the safety of the players remained a priority. "The PCA and ECB have worked extremely closely on this issue and the players have been fully supportive throughout. We will access the highest calibre of security advice on a regular basis so that we can provide the players with the latest accurate information.

"I have been assured by the ECB that they would never compromise the players’ safety and security. Hugh and I are travelling to India this weekend to confirm for the players that the security is of the high standard that the ECB and PCA demand."

England Test squad

Kevin Pietersen (Hampshire) captain
Tim Ambrose (Warwickshire)
James Anderson (Lancashire)
Ian Bell (Warwickshire)
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire) – travelling directly to Chennai
Paul Collingwood (Durham)
Alastair Cook (Essex)
Andrew Flintoff (Lancashire)
Stephen Harmison (Durham)
Monty Panesar (Northamptonshire)
Matthew Prior (Sussex)
Owais Shah (Middlesex)
Andrew Strauss (Middlesex)
Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire)

Performance Squad

Ravinder Bopara (Essex)
Mark Davies (Durham)
Robert Joseph (Kent)
Amjad Khan (Kent)
Sajid Mahmood (Lancashire)
Samit Patel (Nottinghamshire)
Liam Plunkett (Durham)
Oliver Rayner (Sussex)
Alan Richardson (Middlesex)

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