Pietersen out of England’s World T20 squad

Wednesday, 22 August 2012 03:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Kevin Pietersen was left out of England’s World Twenty20 squad announced on Tuesday, 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 they 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 Monday after sending Kevin Pietersen “provocative” text messages, allegedly criticising 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 Friday.

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 them beat West Indies by seven wickets at Trent Bridge in June with Alex Hales, taking the opener’s spot vacated by Pietersen, making 99.

England NatWest ODI Series squad: Alastair Cook (captain), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, Craig Kieswetter, Eoin Morgan, Samit Patel, Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott, Chris Woakes.

England squad for ICC World T20: Stuart Broad (captain), Jonny Bairstow, Ravi Bopara , Tim Bresnan, Danny Briggs, Jos Buttler, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, Alex Hales, Craig Kieswetter, Michael Lumb, Eoin Morgan, Samit Patel, Graeme Swann, Luke Wright.