Kevin Pietersen still has a future as a one-day international cricketer, according to England coach Andy Flower, despite dropping out of the rest of the World Cup with a hernia injury.
Kevin Pietersen still has a future as a one-day international cricketer, according to England coach Andy Flower, despite dropping out of the rest of the World Cup with a hernia injury.
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Batting star Pietersen, 30, headed for home a day after making just two in England's tense six-run Group B win over his native South Africa that re-ignited their quarter-final bid.
Prior to the tournament, there had been reports in the British press that Pietersen was planning to quit one-day internationals.
But Flower said of Pietersen's World Cup exit: "It might fuel the speculation, but Kevin's told me he wants to carry on playing one-day international cricket and I'll take him at his word."
Asked how England could be so certain Pietersen would get through the World Cup, only for him to be leaving just days later, Flower said: "The medical advice was this hernia problem Kevin's got wouldn't get significantly worse and he was at no risk of damaging himself further.
"Therefore it was a pain-management situation. Kevin says it has got worse, pain-wise, and he can't carry on playing like this. Of course we are disappointed to lose him. He's a world-class player.
"And he was forming quite an interesting opening partnership with Andrew Strauss. They complemented each other quite nicely, KP being a strong front-foot player, Strauss being a left-handed back-foot player."
England have called up Eoin Morgan, who was in their original 15-man squad before withdrawing because of a finger replacement as Pietersen's replacement, a decision approved by World Cup officials on Monday.
Flower said the left-handed former Ireland batsman would join the squad in Chittagong where England continue their quest for a quarter-final spot against Bangladesh on Friday.
"Eoin gets here Tuesday afternoon. We'll get him straight into the nets. He's a very skilful player and a pretty no-nonsense guy. I can envisage him playing straight away. He's 100 percent fit."
Ravi Bopara, Morgan's replacement, made a man-of-the-match winning 60 against South Africa.
But both batsmen are primarily middle-order players and that leaves England needing to find an opening partner for Strauss.
However, Flower said: "We're not going to let you or the opposition know who it's going to be, but we've got a clear idea of who we want for the game against Bangladesh."
Meanwhile, Pietersen wrote on his Twitter page: "Every cloud has a silver lining they say.
"As frustrated as I am to be missing the rest of the WC & IPL, I'll be at home with my family & friends.
"I haven't been home properly since 29 Oct...Time with family & friends is always sorely missed when on the road."
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