Vaughan backs Pietersen’s inclusion in India tour – Cricket News Update
Former England skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750, stating that the 32-year-old is among the best batsmen available to the team, should selectors choose to
recall him, and could play a vital role in steering England to victory.
Following a spat with the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 and Wales Cricket Board, Pietersen (who announced his retirement from international limited-overs cricket earlier this year, but has since retracted it) has been sidelined from selection for the national team.
“The issues have to be resolved, but if they have, I would want Kevin Pietersen batting at four,” Vaughan said while speaking to
BBC 5 live. “I don't think England have ever had a player like him. He's exceptional.”
“If (captain) http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Geoffrey-Miller-c58870 had expressed the desire to get
Pietersen back in the line-up once the issue is sorted out.
In addition to having been excluded from the line-up for the final Test of a 3-match series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 earlier this year, Pietersen, the Player of the Tournament from England’s 2009-10 World T20 triumph was also not named in the squad for the ongoing
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 World Twenty20 2012.
With talks having commenced between Pietersen and the board, the right-hander was expected to be selected for the Poms’ upcoming tour of India, which begins with an all-important 4-match Test series – however, his name did not feature in the final list.
Newly appointed Test captain Alastair Cook, who expressed his keenness to have the hard-hitting batsman back in the team, has revealed that while talks are indeed underway in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 (where Pietersen is working as a TV pundit during the ongoing World T20),
the situation has not reached an effective resolution, owing to which Pietersen is not yet under consideration for selection.
The 32-year-old Pietersen has gone on to express his disappointment at not having been selected, and is now looking for a spot in the squad for the series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 next year.
Vaughan, however, is of the view that Pietersen could prove crucial for the Poms as they battle it out in India on unfamiliar, spin-friendly pitches. The team recently put up a poor display against spin bowling in the ongoing World T20, which saw them conceding
a 90-run defeat at the hands of India.
“It could be 4-0 in India if England are not careful and they don't play spin better,” Vaughan pointed out. “The venues England are playing at all suit India. They are all low, slow spinning wickets and I wouldn't want to go there without my best players.”
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