LONDON: Kevin Pietersen has been named in England’s 14-man squad for a two-match Twenty20 series against New Zealand after returning from a knee injury, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said yesterday.
Pietersen, England’s most explosive batsman, missed their one-day series against New Zealand as well as the Champions Trophy competition, fuelling speculation he could be a doubt for the Ashes.
A statement on the ECB website (www.ecb.co.uk) said Pietersen would join the squad for the second match against New Zealand provided he successfully completes a county championship game for Surrey beginning on June 21. England face New Zealand on June 25 and 27 while the home five-test Ashes series against Australia starts in Nottingham on July 10.
Meanwhile, New Zealand spinner Daniel Vettori has had an operation on his left Achilles tendon in a bid to prolong his career, it was announced yesterday.
The 34-year-old left-armer returned from nearly a year out of international action to play in all three of New Zealand’s Champions Trophy group matches before the Black Caps bowed out ahead of the knockout stages.
But the former New Zealand captain often looked in pain while fielding and batted just the once.
“Dan has been suffering from this injury for the past year and surgery was the only option to prolong his career with the Black Caps,” said New Zealand physiotherapist Paul Close in a statement.Agencies
