Marcus Trescothick, Craig White and Ashley Giles all confirmed today that they will tour India. But Andy Caddick and Robert Croft have decided to stay at home. Their replacements will be named later in the week. After all the doubt, it now looks as if 14 of the original 16-man party will make the trip, although White and Giles still need to pass fitness tests on November 7. The trip as a whole also depends on whether the Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) and the players themselves are satisfied by India's security arrangements. John Carr, the ECB's director of cricket operations, and Tim O'Gorman, representing the PCA, are flying out to India tomorrow to check for themselves. It should be a formality.

The three players who said yes all expressed their thanks to the ECB for the extra time they were given to make up their minds. "I now look forward to flying to India with the rest of the touring party," said Giles, possibly overstating the case.

Trescothick was just as positive. "The additional time provided has enabled me to make my decision in the right frame of mind," he said.

White, too, sounded like a man who had just come through a harrowing ordeal. "I am very grateful to all concerned for their patience while making a very difficult decision."

But the absence of Caddick leaves England without an experienced seam bowler in the party. "My decision to opt out of the touring party was extremely difficult," he said. "My choice does not reflect any lack of commitment to English cricket and, had circumstances been different, I would love to have toured India.

"Turning down the opportunity to represent my country is something I would never have believed possible. I needed to be 100% confident that my family were happy for me to tour, unfortunately that is not the case. I have two children, Ashton, who is 3 and Fraser, born only on October 12 -- for them and my wife I have made the very personal decision not to go to India. My very best wishes go with Nasser and the team."

Robert Croft's statement was laced with regret too. "It has been an immensely difficult decision to make," he said, "but after further discussions with friends and family I could not guarantee full commitment to the England team, knowing that my family would worry about my safety.

"I would like to thank the ECB for allowing me more time to reach my decision and assure them that I am fully committed to the New Zealand tour. I have many Indian friends and for all concerned I am very disappointed. Extraordinary circumstances have led to my decision and I would like to take this opportunity to wish Nasser and the guys a successful tour."

David Graveney, the chief executive of the PCA and chairman of selectors, stressed that Caddick and Croft's decision would not count against them. "I realise that it has been a very difficult decision for all concerned," he said. "I would like to reiterate, in my selectorial capacity, that the statements made regarding players who understandably have opted out of the tour remain true relating to their future selection."

Nasser Hussain was tact itself: "I am delighted that Craig, Marcus and Ashley have made their decision to tour. On behalf of all the players I would like to thank all concerned for their understanding in what has been an incredibly difficult period for the team. I fully respect and appreciate both Andrew and Robert's decisions."

Now England have to find two new players. Providing no-one else drops out in the mean time.

Lawrence Booth is assistant editor on Wisden.com.

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