Nottinghamshire all-rounder Graeme Swann has departed England's base in India to visit his daughter ahead of the Test series.
New-born Charlotte, Swann's second child, was just a week old when Swann departed England and having been told she was unwell, he made plans to return home.
At the time of his departure, Swann spoke of the emotional strain that comes with being parted from his family during England's tours.
“It’s not easy,” Swann said. “You have most of your tours as a young man but when you have a family, it’s more of a reality check and you do miss them. Until your children arrive you don’t realise how much you’re going to love them.
“Unfortunately, it’s just part of life as a cricketer once you have a family and you have to come to terms before you go with the fact it’s happening. You stay in touch as best you can and we know we are home for Christmas this time, so it’s a bit of light at the end of the tunnel.
“It’s also important to get things in perspective. You do miss your family when you go away but it’s not as though we’re soldiers beginning a tour of duty.”
Swann will return to Ahmedabad in time for England's first Test.
“It’s not easy,” Swann said. “You have most of your tours as a young man but when you have a family, it’s more of a reality check and you do miss them. Until your children arrive you don’t realise how much you’re going to love them.
“Unfortunately, it’s just part of life as a cricketer once you have a family and you have to come to terms before you go with the fact it’s happening. You stay in touch as best you can and we know we are home for Christmas this time, so it’s a bit of light at the end of the tunnel.
“It’s also important to get things in perspective. You do miss your family when you go away but it’s not as though we’re soldiers beginning a tour of duty.”