Contrary to media reports, England batsman Andrew Strauss claimed his team-mates are happy to be returning to India for the two-Test series later this month, notwithstanding the Mumbai terror attacks.

Strauss, a part of the England squad which flies to Abu Dhabi on Thursday to get some practice ahead of the Test series, said it was only natural that the players thought of their families soon after the attacks, which saw them returning home abandoning the last two ODIs against India.

"To begin with there was a lot of shock and emotion as it seemed close to home. That was the hotel we stayed in before and we were due to again. When things like that happen, you think about being with your family and cricket's not such a priority," Strauss told 'BBC'.

With the dust gradually settling down, Strauss said it was the right decision to resume the tour. "But after a few days to let things settle down, we've been able to look at things logically and objectively – it seems the right thing to do for the game of cricket," he said.

Vouching that his team002Dmates share the same feeling, the Middlesex opener said, "The players I've spoken to have been in the same frame of mind as me."

Incidentally, media reports earlier claimed the trio of Steve Harmison, Andrew Flintoff and Graeme Swann were reluctant to tour India after the Mumbai terror strikes.

As he tried to get his focus back on the series, Strauss rued lack of preparation and said, "It's basically a week, so we've got to get over there, get over jet lag and get some practice to make sure we're ready to play come next Thursday. It's a big challenge. But circumstances like this can bring a team together so I hope that's the way it works and we might surprise one or two people and play some good cricket."

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