Kevin Pietersen left out of World Twenty20
After sending ‘provocative’ texts to opposition, England selectors exclude batsman Kevin Pietersen from Twenty20 squad.
Defending champions England left Kevin Pietersen out of their squad on Tuesday for the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka next month, leaving the batsman’s future with the national team unresolved.
Pietersen was dropped for England’s final Test against South Africa after admitting sending ‘provocative’ text messages to members of the opposition.
England slipped to a 51-run defeat in the final Test on Monday, losing the series 2-0 and conceding the number one Test ranking to their opponents in the process.
National selector Geoff Miller explained Pietersen’s international future “was still being determined” so it was always unlikely the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) were going to select him for the upcoming limited overs events.
“Kevin Pietersen’s future involvement is still being determined and he was therefore not considered for selection in
either squad,” Miller said as the squads were announced.
“He played superbly in our last Twenty20 World Cup, but the circumstances that exist at the moment mean that he can’t be selected for us,” England team director Andy Flower told Sky Sports television.
“There are still issues unresolved and we will be addressing those issues when we have time to do so… those issues have to be resolved before there is any way forward.”
Pietersen was awarded the player of the tournament as England won the T20 world title in 2010.
“This is not just an issue between the captain and Kevin,” captain Andrew Strauss said.
“There are deeper issues. Certainly the issues of trust and mutual respect need to be addressed. There are unresolved issues that have reared their heads in the last few weeks.”
Pietersen was also left out of the four one-day internationals against South Africa, which start on Friday.
Twenty20 squad:
Stuart Broad (captain), Jonny Bairstow, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Danny Briggs, Jos Buttler, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, Alex Hales, Craig Kieswetter, Michael Lumb, Eoin Morgan, Samit Patel, Graeme Swann, Luke Wright.
ODI squad:
Alastair Cook (captain), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, Craig Kieswetter, Eoin Morgan, Samit Patel, Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott, Chris Woakes.