England agreed yesterday to return to India with a full-strength squad for the teams' two-Test series, despite concerns over security in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai.

The England and Wales cricket board said the squad, which was made 15 strong yesterday by the call-up of pace bowler Amjad Khan and spinner Adil Rashid, had agreed to travel today and play the matches following briefings by officials.

ECB managing director, Hugh Morris, and Professional Cricketers Association chief executive, Sean Morris, met with the players yesterday after visiting India.

Brave decision

"It's a brave and courageous decision that will be respected around the world," Hugh Morris said. "It's obviously been a very emotional 10 days or so since the atrocities in Mumbai. We've had a lot of discussions with the players following a number of security information audits we've had from the very highest levels of government and our own security team.

"It has been a very difficult situation, a very emotional, sensitive time for everybody and it has been hard for the players to come to this decision. But they all have and we are looking forward to the challenge of playing India."

UAE capital

The squad had been practicing in the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi while waiting for news from security experts in India to decide whether to restart a tour which began with the home side winning five One-Day Internationals before the final two matches were cancelled.

England postponed its tour of India following the November 26-29 attacks in Mumbai that left more than 150 people dead. The first Test is to start Thursday and was shifted from Ahmedabad to Chennai. The second was switched from Mumbai to Mohali and is to begin December 19.

Hugh Morris said there has yet to be a security inspection in Mohali, but that the venue should be as safe as Chennai.