England Test squad delay as Pietersen talks continue

Published on 13/09/2012 03:27

England have shelved plans to announce their squad for the Test tour of India today, as 
discussions over the future of Kevin Pietersen continue.

Team director Andy Flower had stated that he wanted the touring party finalised before flying to Sri Lanka for the World Twenty20 but, while discussions are at an advanced stage, the announcement has been delayed until at least Tuesday.

Reports yesterday indicated a decision has already been made to go without Pietersen for the four-Test series but it is understood the door has not been closed just yet.

Although unlikely given the issues of “trust and mutual respect” that have undermined Pietersen’s relationship with sections of the team, there is still a chance the 32-year-old could travel if private negotiations with the England and Wales Cricket Board bear fruit.

Pietersen has admitted sending “provocative” messages to friends in the South Africa dressing room, but also harbours grievances of his own.

He was not offered a central ECB contract when the 2012/13 batch were drawn up and has not played for England since the second Test against South Africa, missing the series decider against the Proteas, the subsequent limited-overs matches and T20 games. He is also out of the forthcoming T20 tourney.

Should the selectors decide a Pietersen return in November would be too soon, they have to resolve how best to replace him.

With former captain Andrew Strauss having retired at the end of the South Africa series, England have already lost one experienced campaigner and must think long and hard about the make-up of their top six if they leave Pietersen at home.

With 117 England appearances, albeit only 13 of them in Tests, Ravi Bopara has enough international experience to soften the blow of Pietersen’s absence but is currently out of form.

His awkward medium-pace bowling may yet see him play in Sri Lanka and, if he can turn his batting around in that tournament, he would go to India.

Eoin Morgan, dropped from the Test side earlier this year after a troubled run of his own, appears certain to make the squad after being awarded one of the ten full central contracts.

That leaves Jonny Bairstow as the most likely pick of the younger generation of middle-order batsmen, ahead of both Jos Buttler and James Taylor.

England have also been wrestling with the question of who will take Strauss’ place alongside captain Alastair Cook at the top of the order. Yorkshire’s Joe Root is the most obvious long-term bet but, at 21, may be given more time to develop. With uncertainty over the credentials of Michael Carberry, 31, and Nick Compton, 29, England may ask Jonathan Trott to open and shift Ian Bell to number three.

Spin bowling options will also have been discussed, with Monty Panesar favourite to 
continue as second choice to Graeme Swann.

A third slow bowler is a certainty, with Samit Patel, Danny Briggs and James Tredwell all 
offering different qualities. Patel’s batting prowess could ultimately count in his favour.

All will become clear when national selector Geoff Miller finally chooses to make the 
panel’s decisions public.