Pietersen took no active part in the match and will now turn his attention to England’s Ashes four-day warm-up match against Essex at Chelmsford that starts tomorrow. PHOTO: AFP
LONDON: Kevin Pietersen’s return to England duty saw him fail to take any part in a washed-out Twenty20 match at The Oval on Thursday that gave New Zealand a 1-0 series win.
Only two balls had been bowled, with England two for one, when rain stopped play after Michael Lumb was caught at second slip by New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum off left-arm quick Mitchell McClenaghan.
The no-result, in what was the final match of their tour, gave New Zealand the two-match series 1-0 after their five-run win at The Oval on Tuesday and followed their 2-1 One-Day International series success.
However, England took the preceding Test series 2-0.
Pietersen was included in an England side for the first time following a knee injury that forced his early exit from the tour of New Zealand in March.
England begin the defence of the Ashes against Australia with the first Test at Trent Bridge on July 10.
Watson relishes Ashes opening role
Meanwhile, Shane Watson is fired up by the prospect of opening for Australia in the Ashes series.
Australia’s squad contains several openers but new coach Darren Lehmann has said he wants Watson at the top of the order.
Watson did his best to play himself into some sort of form with a rapid 90, off just 94 balls and including 20 fours, on the second day of Australia’s tour match against Somerset at Taunton on Thursday as the visitors closed on 266 for four in reply to the west country county’s 320.
After a rain-shortened day, Watson spoke of his delight at the vote of confidence he’d received from former Australia batsman Lehmann.
“It’s nice to get that confirmation and it’s a hugely exciting challenge for me,” said Watson.
“Darren is very up front about things, from my experience of him, but he also does care when he needs to. He is black and white in a really good way.
“It’s nice for me personally to know I have the backing of the coach and the opportunity to open is something I am very excited about.
“I didn’t know exactly what my role would be until Darren took over as coach. I had a few chats with Michael Clarke and Mickey Arthur about it, but there was no confirmation.
“Darren has been more definite about where he wants me to bat.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 29th, 2013.
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