Abu Dhabi, Dec. 8 : England''s cricketers have decided to undertake the tour of India for a two Test series beginning from December 11, but not before some reported high drama behind closed doors.

According to former Test player Derek Pringle, the drama surrounding the tour ratcheted up around 8.15 p. m. in the evening on Sunday with the late arrival of the two Morrises, Hugh the general manager of the England team and Sean the chief executive of the Players Cricketers Association, and security officer Reg Dickason, the Test squad, and coaches decamping to the team room.

Pringle writes in his article for the Telegraph that there was a break for dinner 90 minutes later, with only some of the players entering the marble-floored lobby, suggesting there were waverers.

But when the press conference was finally convened at 11.05 p. m., it was confirmed that a first-choice team was going.

"A brave and resolute decision by the players," Hugh Morris said.

Before that, the England team had a lengthy practice session at the Abu Dhabi Cricket Club. Batsmen worked in pairs, one facing six balls of pace the other six balls of spin before swapping nets. All-rounder Andrew Fintoff, according to Pringle, charged in with intent when bowling.

Skipper Pietersen attired in a vest that revealed both his muscles and tattoos, strode around, looked proud but relaxed. When he was satisfied all was well, he returned to the team hotel for a late lunch.

According to Pringle, apart from the nets, there was also a camel race, pitting the relative speeds of Alastair Cook, Monty Panesar, Liam Plunkett and Samit Patel over about sixty yards.

The overall mood, he said, was “surprisingly relaxed”. (ANI)