England's pair of duckers

Two of England's "faltering five" cricketers announced today that they are not prepared to go on next month's tour of India.

Andrew Caddick, who was born in New Zealand, and Welshman Robert Croft are unwilling to make the trip because of safety fears. The other three who had kept cricket authorities waiting for their decision said they will go.

They are Marcus Trescothick, Craig White and Ashley Giles - although both White and Giles could yet be forced to withdraw through injury. In fact, all 14 players who have said "yes" to boarding the plane have reserved the right to change their minds.

The loss of Somerset pace bowler Caddick and Glamorgan spinner Croft is already a serious PR blow to the England and Wales Cricket Board, which had been confident of a unanimous decision in favour of touring.

The ECB had given the five waverers extra time to consider advice from the Foreign Office in the wake of a weekend of violent protest on the subcontinent against the bombing of Afghanistan.

Caddick, 32, said: "My decision to opt out of the touring party was extremely difficult. Turning down the opportunity to represent my country is something I would never have believed possible.