Pietersen defiant as new threat hits tour

As the captain spoke at Heathrow, Indian airports were put on a state of high alert due to fears of possible hijack attempts and England managing director Hugh Morris admitted his reaction to that alarming news was "obviously concern".

But Pietersen and his 12 currently fit team-mates are flying to Abu Dhabi this afternoon and, provided they receive the final security reassurance they want on Sunday evening, will then catch a plane to Chennai on Monday in time for next Thursday's First Test.

"We are going to buy ourselves some more time in Abu Dhabi," said the skipper.

"I think it's fantastic that we've got a bunch of players who went to India initially and now want to go back to India to play cricket.

"It's very important we go and stand shoulder to shoulder with the Indian people at a time of need and we go and show our support.

"We'll assess the situation on Sunday but I'm very confident we are going to get 15 lads to go and play a Test next week.

"I feel proud that I'm captaining a side that has got such strong and brave characters to now fly to Abu Dhabi and then hopefully nick a Test series in India."

When England flew home from Bangalore last weekend in the wake of nearly 200 people being massacred in Mumbai there seemed little chance of them returning this year — and none at all that the entire party would make the trip.

But with Andrew Flintoff and Steve Harmison, the two players thought most likely to refuse to travel, agreeing to go to Abu Dhabi and await a final security briefing, only injured bowlers Ryan Sidebottom and Stuart Broad are staying behind today.

"I didn't persuade anybody, I respect everybody's concerns and decisions," said Pietersen.

"They are men and make decisions for themselves. Nobody was told or persuaded what to do.

"There's a collective thought that the guys who go are just waiting on the reports from Hugh, Sean [Morris] and Reg [Dickason]. If there are any major alarms, I think Hugh will be calling the Board to say the decision is to come home.

"But as it stands the boys are very focused to start the Test match on Thursday in Chennai."

Hugh Morris, players' union chief executive Sean Morris and England security advisor Dickason will look to ensure that the security measures promised by India are put in place.

"The brief from the players is very clear — to get all the information," said Sean Morris.