Cricket: England hold firm in Pietersen stand-off
Coach Flower not expecting batsman’s limited-overs inclusion.
LONDON:
Kevin Pietersen must make himself available unconditionally for all England limited-overs cricket if he is to help the side defend their World Twenty20 title in Sri Lanka, according to coach Andy Flower.
Pieterson quit white ball internationals after the team management refused him his wish to appear in Twenty20s while opting out of 50-over games.
However, the terms of an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) central contract prevent players picking and choosing formats and the management held firm, fearing an exodus of leading names from the 50-over side if they allowed Pietersen to choose.
While Pietersen said he will be delighted at his inclusion for the World Twenty20, Flower does not expect the squad will feature the star batsman.
“As things stand at the moment, no,” said Flower. “The situation is the same as it was when he first approached us.”
Bopara recalled for South Africa opener
Meanwhile, England recalled Ravi Bopara in a 13-man squad for the first Test against South Africa at The Oval starting on Thursday. Bopara was included after an impressive aggregate of 182 runs and four wickets in the 4-0 One-Day International series thrashing of Australia.
With James Anderson and Stuart Broad back, England must decide between Tim Bresnan, Graham Onions and Steven Finn for the remaining seam bowling spots should they stick with their policy of a four-man attack.
The England first Test squad includes Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Pietersen, Ian Bell, Bopara, Matt Prior, Broad, Bresnan, Graeme Swann, Anderson, Finn and Onions.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 16th, 2012.
Kevin Pietersen must make himself available unconditionally for all England limited-overs cricket if he is to help the side defend their World Twenty20 title in Sri Lanka, according to coach Andy Flower.
Pieterson quit white ball internationals after the team management refused him his wish to appear in Twenty20s while opting out of 50-over games.
However, the terms of an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) central contract prevent players picking and choosing formats and the management held firm, fearing an exodus of leading names from the 50-over side if they allowed Pietersen to choose.
While Pietersen said he will be delighted at his inclusion for the World Twenty20, Flower does not expect the squad will feature the star batsman.
“As things stand at the moment, no,” said Flower. “The situation is the same as it was when he first approached us.”
Bopara recalled for South Africa opener
Meanwhile, England recalled Ravi Bopara in a 13-man squad for the first Test against South Africa at The Oval starting on Thursday. Bopara was included after an impressive aggregate of 182 runs and four wickets in the 4-0 One-Day International series thrashing of Australia.
With James Anderson and Stuart Broad back, England must decide between Tim Bresnan, Graham Onions and Steven Finn for the remaining seam bowling spots should they stick with their policy of a four-man attack.
The England first Test squad includes Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Pietersen, Ian Bell, Bopara, Matt Prior, Broad, Bresnan, Graeme Swann, Anderson, Finn and Onions.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 16th, 2012.