Team bond prompted England decision

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The 31-year-old Lancastrian was one of those with reservations about a return to play the two-Test series following last month's attacks in Mumbai.

Flintoff said: "It's been a difficult last three days. Throughout, everyone has voiced their opinion, whether they be junior or senior players. Everyone has decided to go, so to say it was just about the senior players would be wrong. We have decided to go as a team."

England spent three days at a Sheikh Zayed Stadium training camp in preparation for the series.

"When we have been practising out on the field, batting and bowling, the intensity has been fine," Flintoff added.

"But when people are on their own, and with time to think, the mood has been different."

Personal doubts about the ethics of returning to the sub-continent so soon after the terror attacks, and reservations over trying to concentrate on cricket while surrounded by armed guards, will now have to be put aside.

There can be no tougher assignment in world cricket on present form than facing India on their own soil.

"If you win anything in India I think you are doing well," Flintoff said. "Particularly with the way they played in the one-dayers, and the way they played against Australia.

"We have now got two Test matches to show what we can do."