“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.”

... contd.