Pietersen’s return can improve England’s chances in India: Finn – Cricket News Update
Adopting a measured stance on the controversial http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ST-Finn-c2566 stated that while he was unaware of the finer details regarding Pietersen’s return to the England team, the hard-hitting batsman’s presence in the squad would
prove useful for the Poms as they go into their upcoming tour of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750.
“KP averages nearly 50 in Test cricket, a record that is up there with the best who have ever played,” Finn said while speaking to
Standard Sport. “Having him in the squad is important to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013’s success because he is a great player.
“People who have experienced subcontinental conditions before help the young guys so yes, it does make you a stronger side,” he said, adding that Pietersen had been among the seniors who helped him adapt to local conditions when Finn toured http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 with
England for the first time, in 2010/2011.
“The bigger the pool of knowledge, the better we’ll be as a team.”
Pietersen’s already strained relationship with the England and Wales Cricket Board worsened during South Africa’s tour of England earlier this year. While Pietersen, who had retired from international limited-overs cricket earlier this year, initially called
a press conference to express his complaints against the ECB and his team members, he was later revealed to have sent text messages, alleged to contain either tactical advice or unsavoury comments about then skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AJ-Strauss-c964, to members of the visiting
Proteas team.
The revelation led to the ECB dropping him from the XI for the final Test against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 World Twenty20 2012 (where the Poms failed to defend
their title).
However, talks between both parties were recently resumed, and culminated in a long-awaited reconciliation, with the ECB agreeing to allow Pietersen back into the team once he had undergone a reintegration programme. Whether the programme will be completed
in time for Pietersen to join the team in India, for a tour which commences in November, remains to be seen.
When questioned about the matter, Finn pointed out that while he knew Pietersen, a veteran of 88 Tests (with 7076 runs and 21 centuries to his credit), had been given a central contract again, he was unaware of when and how the batsman would return to the
squad.
“When he does come back it will be good to have him and I am looking forward to it,” said the 23-year-old.
Tags: