Pietersen will be welcomed in the dressing room, says Stuart Broad – Cricket News Update
England’s fast bowler and T20 captain, Stuart Broad, has made it clear that Kevin Pietersen will not have any problems adjusting in the team environment upon his return to international cricket.
The 32-year-old cricketer was not selected for the limited-over series against South Africa earlier this season and also for the just-finished ICC World T20 2012, following his disputes with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
The stylish right-handed batsman had announced his retirement from the shorter formats of international cricket earlier this year only to take it back afterwards.
He was controversially dropped from the England side after the first two Tests against the Proteas due to the text messages he sent to the South African players (AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn), ridiculing some of his teammates including the then Test captain, Andrew Strauss, and Broad.
There have been some meetings between the ECB officials and Pietersen recently, which are likely to open the doors of international cricket for the great batsman once again.
Broad expressed that Pietersen’s selection will be decided by the board but the South Africa born cricketer will surely be welcomed in the dressing room.
“The team have no issues with KP coming back if the management decide he’s ready to. It’s in their hands at the moment,” said the fast bowler. “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.”
The T20 skipper, who failed to defend England’s World T20 title in Sri Lanka, understands that Pietersen’s return will boost his side’s chances for the upcoming Test series in India, where the right-hander’s experience and class will be vital.
Despite having differences with former England skipper in past, Broad admitted that Pietersen has been a genuine match-winner for the country over the years.
“Once the England management have decided when he’s available to return, he’ll be welcomed back into the changing room. We know he’s a great cricketer, he’s won a lot of trophies and has been a really good team-mate for England, certainly ever since I’ve been playing for them,” he mentioned.
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