• England's Pietersen dilemma

Broad keen to 'draw line' under KP saga

ESPN staff
October 11, 2012
Kevin Pietersen has not played for England since the Test series with South Africa © AFP
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Stuart Broad believes the England dressing room is ready to draw a line under the Kevin Pietersen affair and still harbours hopes that the batsman will rejoin the team in time to face India.

Pietersen has not played for England since the Test series against South Africa in the summer, when it emerged that he had sent text messages to members of the South African team criticising captain Andrew Strauss.

While Pietersen denied subsequent claims that the texts contained tactical advice for South Africa's bowlers, he apologised for the texts to both Strauss and the ECB in a bid to smooth relations with the team ahead of the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka.

The fallout from the incident exposed serious problems in the relationship between Pietersen and a number of members of the England set-up, however, leading to the decision to drop him from the T20 squad and the upcoming tour of India.

But Broad believes that Pietersen is ready to return to the England team prior to the period of reintegration called for by the ECB, and has backed coach Andy Flower to orchestrate his return to the fold.

"Andy Flower's the best in the world to do it - he's a fantastic coach and a great man manager," Broad said.

"It's in his hands at the moment and the players will have a chance to meet Kev when he gets back from the Champions League.

"Whether it's in India or whether it's in New Zealand he will be welcome back in the changing room and we will draw a line under the incidents and get on and chase that No. 1 spot.

"We know what a fantastic player Kevin is. When KP is happy and wanting to play for England and pulling that shirt on with pride he's a really dangerous player, and hopefully we'll see him back in those colours sooner rather than later."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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