Kevin Pietersen left out of England’s squad for India tour

Tuesday, September 18, 2012
11:05 AM

Kevin Pietersen has been left out from England’s touring party to India as the Three Lions look to regain their number one ranking.

The Surrey batsman was dropped from the England side after the second Test against South Africa following Pietersen sending ‘provocative’ texts to the opposition.

He subsequently was not awarded a new central contract and his international future has been in doubt and this decision appears to indicate that his chances of representing England look bleak.

“Both ECB and England team management have had meetings with Kevin Pietersen to address the issues which led to his omission from the final Investec Test match against South Africa,” ECB Managing Director Hugh Morris said.

“These discussions remain private and confidential and, as there are issues still to be resolved, Kevin has not been considered for selection for the India tour.”

The tour of India represents Alastair Cook’s first experience as full time Test captain but the Essex star led England on tour against Bangladesh in early 2010 as former skipper Andrew Strauss was rested.

Uncapped batsmen Nick Compton and Joe Root have been included in the party for the first time but Essex batsman Ravi Bopara has been left out after a summer blighted by personal issues.

National Selector Geoff Miller said: “Nick Compton has performed well consistently for Somerset in county cricket this season, made big hundreds and shown that he has the temperament and the technique to play at a higher level.

“Joe Root is a player who has been successful at every level from county cricket through to EPP and England Lions, and he deserves this opportunity to step up to the next level and press his case for a place in the Test side. “

England beat India 4-0 in the Test series last year but lost 1-0 on their previous tour to India in 2008.

England squad: Alastair Cook (captain), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Ian Bell, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Nick Compton, Steven Finn, Eoin Morgan, Graham Onions, Monty Panesar, Samit Patel, Matt Prior, Joe Root, Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott