Pietersen might be struggling to hold his own in the Test format but for Ashley Giles he remains a real asset. PHOTO: BCCI
LONDON: Kevin Pietersen’s Test future may be in doubt but the mercurial batsman was hailed as a ‘million pound asset’ when named in England’s provisional 30-member squad for this year’s Twenty20 World Cup on Wednesday.
A swashbuckling batsman who polarises opinion, Pietersen was a target for heavy criticism after England’s 5-0 Ashes surrender in Australia.
However, his international career looks far from over after selectors opted to consider the use of his hard-hitting prowess in Bangladesh.
“There was no discussion at all about leaving him out,” said England’s coach Ashley Giles ahead of the team’s second One-Day International against Australia.
“He’s another million pound asset at least; he might be worth a bit more than that.”
Pietersen has been rested from England’s limited-overs series in Australia. “He’s not played that much for me in T20, but in other competitions he shown how dangerous he can be,” said Giles.
The squad includes Stuart Broad (captain), Moeen Ali, Jonathan Bairstow, Gary Ballance, Ravi Bopara, Scott Borthwick, Tim Bresnan, Danny Briggs, Jos Buttler, Michael Carberry, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, Harry Gurney, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Craig Kieswetter, Michael Lumb, Eoin Morgan, Graham Onions, Steven Parry, Samit Patel, Kevin Pietersen, Boyd Rankin, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, James Taylor, James Tredwell, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Luke Wright.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 16th, 2014.
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great player love his batting hope he prove his selection right...