Squad has no problem with Kevin Pietersen’s return

Published on 11/10/2012 01:22

Stuart Broad has insisted Kevin Pietersen will be accepted by the England dressing room upon his return.

Pietersen could yet participate in the forthcoming tour to India after agreeing a four-month central contract last week, subject to a “reintegration process”.

The 32-year-old was dropped by England after sending a series of provocative texts to opposition South African players during the Headingley Test. The breakdown in his relationship with team-mates and his England and Wales Cricket Board employers plunged his international future into doubt.

Broad, England’s Twenty20 captain, views the destructive Pietersen as too important a player to be rejected by a team intent on reclaiming their position as the world No 1 Test side.

“The team have no issues with KP coming back if the management decide he’s ready to,” Broad said. “There are some meetings going on behind closed doors and we’re waiting to see the outcome of those. But, from the team’s perspective, his integration will be easy.

“Ultimately, we’re playing cricket and we want guys who will score runs and take catches to help England win.”