3000 commandos and police guard England

England's cricketers today arrived back in India where they will be guarded by a 3000-strong force of armed police and commando units.

Kevin Pietersen and his team flew in from a training camp in Abu Dhabi, having agreed unanimously to resume their terror-hit tour and play a two-match Test series against India.

England demanded safety assurances in the wake of last month's terrorist attack on Mumbai which killed 163 people. They were met by the Indian army at the airport and both England and the hosts have been promised top-level security by Chennai's police commissioner.

The hotel being used by both teams is already heavily guarded while commando units will accompany the players to and from the ground.

And as for when England and India are either practising or playing at the Chepauk Stadium, armed personnel from the Rapid Action Force are expected to be in attendance. The blue-uniformed officers were there today for India's first practice session ahead of Thursday's Test.

They lined the boundary, staring towards the terracing of a concrete bowl of a ground, while police colleagues took charge of the stadium entrances. "The police have taken over the gates," said a regional cricket board spokesman.

"Usually the security hired by the state association man the entry points. This time it is a complete police show."

Andrew Flintoff, meanwhile, has revealed the desire for a show of unity was a powerful force behind England's unanimous decision to return to India.

"We have decided to go as a team," said the all-rounder, who — along with fast bowler Steve Harmison — had seemed the most likely cricketer to pull out in the wake of terrorist attacks on Mumbai.

England's players agreed to go to Abu Dhabi last week. Now, after a two-hour meeting last night at which the latest security report was explained, skipper Kevin Pietersen is leading a full squad of 15 to Chennai.

"It's been a difficult last three days," said Flintoff. "Throughout, everyone has voiced their opinion, whether they be junior or senior players. Everyone has decided to go, so to say it was just about the senior players would be wrong. We have decided to go as a team."

Although Flintoff and the rest of the squad threw themselves into their training sessions in Abu Dhabi, the question of whether they should return to India has hung in the air throughout.
"When we have been practising out on the field the intensity has been fine," said Flintoff.

"But when people are on their own, and with time to think, the mood has been different."