"...the fact that they had played and that India's heroised cricketers had gone about their business brought comfort to their fans," he said.

Kidds agreed security was of utmost significance. "Naturally, the protection of the England players is paramount to the ECB. I am sure that everything will be done to ensure their safety. But our shared humanity and the demonstration of the continuation of normal life in the face of those who want to take away our freedom is also important."

Another leading journalist, Mike Selvey wrote in 'The Guardian' that it was imperative for England to show solidarity towards the Indians.

"...If nothing else, it demonstrates solidarity with the Indian people, who, if they see it this way, one hopes would respond by turning up to the games," he said.

Selvey also felt England should not have returned home and instead taken a break to somewhere around India. "Five days in Colombo would surely have sufficed, or Dubai or Singapore. Once the players are home, it will take massive willpower to drag them on to a plane to India once more," he apprehended.