Pietersen left out of England’s T20 team

LONDON - Agence France-Presse

Batsman Kevin Pietersen is left out of England’s World Twenty20 squad which will defense its title at the competition that will be organized in Sri Lanka next month. AFP photo

Kevin Pietersen was left out of England’s World Twenty20 squad announced yesterday, as his international cricket exile continued.

The South Africa-born batsman was the man of the tournament when England won the 2010 World Twenty20 in the Caribbean - the first time the team had lifted a major piece of International Cricket Council silverware.

But he was dropped from the England team that lost the third Test against South Africa at Lord’s by 51 runs on Aug. 20 after sending “provocative” text messages, allegedly criticizing England Test captain Andrew Strauss, to South African players.

Pietersen, who recently made himself available again for all international cricket after retiring from one-dayers, was also left out of England’s squad for the forthcoming one-day and Twenty20 series against South Africa starting in Cardiff on Aug. 24.

England national selector Geoff Miller, explaining Pietersen’s omission from the one-day and Twenty20 squads to play South Africa, said: “Kevin Pietersen’s future involvement is still being determined and he was therefore not considered for selection in either squad.” The World Twenty20 starts in Sri Lanka next month, with England beginning the defence of their title against Afghanistan on September 21.

England’s most recent Twenty20 match saw the team beat West Indies at Trent Bridge in June.

The 15-man squad announced yesterday contains eight survivors from the 2010 party, including seamer Stuart Broad, now the captain, off-spinner Graeme Swann and wicket-keeper batsman Craig Kieswetter, who made 63 in the seven-wicket final win over Australia in Barbados.

Promising players such as Jonathan Bairstow, who scored 95 and 54 in Pietersen’s absence during the third Test, Hampshire spinner Danny Briggs and Somerset batsman Jos Buttler have also been included.

“This is a very balanced squad combining experienced players with some young talent who are all very excited by the challenges ahead,” said Geoff Miller.