• England news

Flower expects Pietersen to travel to India

ESPN staff
September 18, 2011
Kevin Pietersen is nursing a wrist problem © Getty Images
Enlarge

England head coach Andy Flower has revealed Kevin Pietersen is in his plans for next month's one-day series in India.

A superb summer for England was capped by a 3-0 series victory in the recent ODIs against India who, in fairness, were injury-ravaged. The two nations will soon lock horns again though, this time on Indian turf.

Pietersen did not contribute to the one-day success, taking time out of the game to recover from a wrist injury. In his absence, his team-mates performed above expectation.

It had been hinted that Pietersen would remain sidelined for the scheduled trip to India, with the first ODI taking place on October 14, but Flower has contradicted those rumours. In Flower's eyes, Pietersen will only miss the two forthcoming T20 clashes with West Indies.

"That is not in our plan," said Flower, regarding the possibility of Pietersen missing the India series. "I am not sure who in Surrey would make those judgements. They haven't come from me or the captain.

"It was a combination of injury and needing to rest. He was wearing strapping and had a cortisone injection that worked for a short period of time and then wore off.

"That wrist should be fine by now."

England are currently riding a wave of optimism after becoming the world's No. 1 Test nation, in addition to delivering a dominant series victory against the 50-over world champions. However, Flower is desperate to keep his men focused.

"The summer couldn't have gone much better, and we have got some great results over the last couple of years - so I am delighted," said Flower. "But at the risk of repeating ourselves, we don't just want to put our feet up and say, 'Gee, it's a lovely little time we have had together'."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close