By Sudipto Ganguly
MUMBAI Oct 29 (Reuters) – Kevin Pietersen’s England exile following a controversial text-message row will end on Tuesday when he plays against India A in a three-day match.
The flamboyant middle-order batsman was dropped for the third and final test against South Africa at Lord’s in August after he admitted sending provocative texts to the opposition.
“Kevin will play tomorrow and bat at number four,” England coach Andy Flower told reporters in Mumbai on Monday.
Pietersen had been left out of the touring party but earlier this month he was added to the squad following meetings with Flower, captain Alastair Cook and other senior players and members of the management team.
His return will boost England, who lost their world number one test status to South Africa in August, in their quest to win a test series in India for the first time since 1985.
“I spoke to KP this morning and he is desperate to get going and we are desperate to have him back,” said Cook who took over as captain when Andrew Strauss retired after the South Africa series.
“He is here to score runs and pass on the experience of Indian conditions to the younger players in the side.”
England, who arrived in India on Monday after a three-day training camp in Dubai, play three warmup matches before the four-test series starts in Ahmedabad on Nov. 15.
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