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By Martyn Herman
LONDON, Sept 18 (Reuters) – England will tour India next month without Kevin Pietersen after the brilliant but controversial middle-order batsman was left out of the squad despite attempts to heal a rift between the management and the player.
Pietersen, who averages nearly 50 from 88 test matches, was dropped last month after admitting to sending controversial text messages to members of the opposing South Africa side.
Reacting to the news via a statement on his behalf, Pietersen said he was “disappointed.”
Explaining the decision, Hugh Morris, the managing director of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said: “Both ECB and England team management have had meetings with Kevin Pietersen to address the issues which led to his omission from the final Investec Test match against South Africa.
“These discussions remain private and confidential and, as there are issues still to be resolved, Kevin has not been considered for selection for the India tour.”
The England squad includes uncapped batsmen Nick Compton and Joe Root. Three spin bowlers, Graeme Swann, Monty Panesar and Samit Patel, have been selected for the tour which begins next month and includes four test matches.
A tour to India will be a stern test for Alastair Cook, who replaced Andrew Strauss after the former captain announced his retirement from the sport after England lost their world number one test ranking to South Africa.
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