LONDON (AP):

ENGLAND'S CRICKETERS returned to Heathrow Airport from India yesterday in the wake of the shootings and explosions that killed more than 150 people in Mumbai, and said they will decide within 48 hours whether it is safe enough to return for the test series.

Hugh Morris, the managing director of the England and Wales Cricket Board, told a news conference he was hopeful the two Tests will take place next month, but that the players will not be forced to return if they have security concerns.

"We are committed to returning to India if it is safe and secure to do so," Morris said. "We have a team of people that we rely on for our safety and security information. They're pulling that information together over the next 24 to 48 hours and we'll assess that information when we have it," he said.

Because of reports that the gunmen were targeting foreigners, there are fears that the England cricket team could become a major target if it returns for the Test series.

The last two limited-overs internationals, scheduled for yesterday and Tuesday, were called off in the aftermath of the coordinated terror attacks in Mumbai that started overnight on Wednesday. That has given the team time off ahead of the Test series, which is due to start on December 11.

Speculation

Although the Board of Control for Cricket in India has switched the second Test venue from Mumbai to Chennai and the ECB has given assurances it will proceed with the series, there has been speculation that the England players, after talking to their families, may decide that they won't return.

"I don't think we'd force anybody to do anything," Morris said. "I think one of the reasons to come back here is to come back to an environment that clearly we're very comfortable in, get some information out to the players about exactly what the situation is on the ground and then make some decisions."

England stayed at Mumbai's Taj Mahal Palace hotel, one of two luxury hotels targeted in the attacks by extremists, three weeks ago during their tour and were scheduled to return there next month.

"We ate in those restaurants, we were served by the people there, we had a fantastic welcome in the hotel and we are due to return there on December 16," Morris said. "It's just been dreadful for everybody to look at the tragic scenario over the last few days there."