Australian cricketers have given a supportive pat to those England players with doubts about touring India. A source close to the Australian team said that unless there was a major overhaul of security arrangements, Australia would not want to tour India again.

The Australian tour to India, which happened in March, took place under high security – there were armed guards outside the doors of every player and drives to the grounds took place with entourages of police cars with wailing sirens.

But still the squad were worried.

A source told the Daily Express: "Although the people were very friendly, whatever assurances were given could not always be guaranteed because it was often run by local authorities."

Nasser Hussain has called for 100% security in order for England's tour to go ahead. The players have to make their minds up by noon today, Friday.

Darren Lehmann, Yorkshire and sometime Australian batsman, said: "I think we would be nervous, you have grave concerns and after all it is just a game of cricket. "We all love it and enjoy playing but if it is going to threaten someone's life you have to take another look at it. "All you can do is have all the input from the political side and I'm sure the embassies will be in contact. "I'm sure if there is any danger they won't go."

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