Kevin Pietersen has been recalled to England’s limited-overs squad for the trip to India next month.
England
have five one-day matches against the world champions followed by a
Twenty20 match, with the tour starting with the first of two warm-up
fixtures on October 8.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)
confirmed that Pietersen has been included in the 15-man squad, which
includes uncapped Surrey pace bowler Stuart Meaker, but bowler James
Anderson has been rested.
Meaker, 22, was called up last week to try out with the squad in the nets and has done enough to impress the selectors.
“This
squad contains an exciting balance of experienced international
cricketers along with some very talented younger players who can play
the high quality limited overs cricket needed to challenge India,” said
national selector Geoff Miller.
“A number of injuries and a
decision to omit James Anderson in line with our policy of sensibly
managing player workloads give opportunities for other very talented
players to continue to develop as international cricketers.
“We
had a promising One-Day series win over India earlier this month and
this squad will be looking forward to the challenge of continuing that
success in the sub-continent over the next four weeks.
“The
additions to the squad for the Twenty20 fixture will strengthen the
squad and provide Jos Buttler and Alex Hales with valuable experience of
playing in the sub-continent.
“Stuart Broad is currently
undergoing a period of rehabilitation for a shoulder injury. However he
will join the squad in India if he completes his rehabilitation
programme ahead of schedule. Graeme Swann will once again lead the
Twenty20 side if Stuart is unable to join the squad.”
Surrey
batsman Pietersen had been rested for the recent victorious home ODI
series against India, the one-off clash with Ireland and the two
Twenty20 fixtures against the West Indies.
Meaker has spent the
last two winters on the Fast Bowling Programme. He made his debut for
England Lions against Sri Lanka A this summer and has now received his
first senior call-up.
Warwickshire all-rounder Chris Woakes and
Durham’s Scott Borthwick have also been included having not been
involved in this month’s ODI series win over India.
Meanwhile, Australia legend Steve Waugh admits old enemies England are setting
standards that the rest of the world has to aspire to match in Test
cricket.
Waugh captained Australia during his country’s dominant
run in the Test arena and presided over several triumphs in Ashes
showdowns against England.
But he has been forced to concede that
England’s rise to the top of the ICC Test rankings under skipper Andrew
Strauss has been an impressive achievement.
Strauss has led
England to a pair of series victories over Australia and they took pole
position in the rankings with a 4-0 whitewash of previous leaders India.
Waugh
believes the key to England’s success has been their ability to show a
ruthless streak that had been lacking from their talented but fragile
predecessors.
“You could see it coming for about the last 18
months, they are a quality professional side, who want to dismantle the
opposition, win as quickly as they can,” Waugh told Sky Sports News.
“England
have got that winning streak now and have good depth in their side.
They know how to win and they know how to get out of tough situations.
“Definitely
they are the best Test playing side in the world. South Africa are not
too far behind and I think Australia will come back pretty quickly as
well.”
The hectic international schedule has been blamed in some
quarters for India’s poor showing in England but Waugh is adamant MS
Dhoni’s team failed to prepare properly for the tour.
“I think
it’s a pretty lame excuse from India,” he said. “I just think they
prepared poorly, they only had one game before the Test matches against
Somerset.
“You can’t expect to come to England, in different
conditions against a quality side, not prepare well and still expect to
do well. Their downfall was totally down to poor preparation.”
