England's cricketers today pledged to do their bit for those people left devastated by the Mumbai terrorist attack and then vowed to concentrate on putting themselves in the right frame of mind for Thursday's First Test.

Each member of the team will donate half of his match fee to a fund set up to support the families of the victims of the attacks. As well as promising to write a cheque for around £35,000, the team also issued a statement here expressing their "sincerest sympathies" to all those touched by the horrific event.

Alastair Cook, the 23-year-old who made his Test debut in India three winters ago, was put forward to deliver a message that had been unanimously agreed by the squad this morning.

The England team, said Cook, wanted to explain why they had returned to India instead of going home - as many had expected.

The reasons were, the statement explained, so the players could show their "support for the Indian people following the tragic events in Mumbai, extend our sincerest sympathies and, as cricketers first and foremost, to win a Test match against India."

It has been said England are now in a no-lose situation after agreeing to come back to play a Test with next to no preparation. Even today, their first practice session since last night's arrival from Abu Dhabi was delayed by rain, further restricting the amount of time they could spend in the nets.

England's players, though, are clearly determined not to start trotting out excuses and Cook spoke of them having made "a massive pact" to that effect.

"We came up with the statement [to say that] this is it and nothing else can distract us from playing cricket," said the young batsman. "It was something that everyone wanted to get across."

England's players have spoken of little but safety issues since they left India 10 days ago while the attack on Mumbai was still in progress. Having been reassured, though, they are anxious to move on - even if Cook had to field several security-related questions today before being able to strap on his pads.

Yes, the team are happy with the measures put in place, of course it would be nicer if such measures were not needed and, no, the sight of commandos every few yards will not be a distraction once the cricket begins, he confirmed.

But, given all that has happened off the field - and considering how good India have been of late and how poorly England played during the one-day series - can Pietersen's team rise to this challenge?

"It's not been the ideal preparation but we're here now and we've got a great chance to play against a very good side," said Cook.

"That's exciting and we're looking forward to it. Cricket is very much a game that is played mentally, and we have to prepare ourselves mentally. This side has got behind each other and made some tough decisions. We're here as a unit now."

Cook knows what it is like to be thrown into a Test without having had much time to think about the task ahead. When England last toured here he was summoned from the Caribbean because of Michael Vaughan's knee injury, had a new cap plonked on his head and duly scored 60 and 104 not out, on debut, in Nagpur.

"I came here three years ago, having flown half way around the world from an A tour in West Indies, had one training session and then played, so it can be done," recalled Cook.

"It proves if you're mentally switched on you can achieve things, and that's what we need to do as a side now. You don't just suddenly lose your technique overnight."

Even in Abu Dhabi, rain curtailed one of England's practice sessions. But it is the equally important business of planning for a Test series that Pietersen's squad are even further behind with.

"We will probably sit down tonight and start really concentrating on the cricket because other things have been distracting us," said Cook.

Their only thoughts now must be on scoring runs against players such as Zaheer Khan and stopping Virender Sehwag and Co from doing them serious damage.