England's selection boss Geoff Miller now faces the sin bin for an unforgivable lapse.
ADVERTISEMENT
A scrunched-up copy of the team's selection document for next Thursday's decider Test at the Oval was found left in a rubbish bin outside a high-powered selection meeting at Trent Bridge by an English journalist, who promptly made it public.
The selection, which appeared in English newspapers two days before it was scheduled for official release, has left the home establishment red-faced.
Pietersen aggravated his injury in last April's IPL and has undergone Achilles tendon surgery after two Tests in the ongoing Ashes series. Flintoff missed the key fourth Test at Headingley because of a niggling knee injury.
In a situation where the England media is looking for every possible scapegoat for their team's dismal showing since their dizzying Lord's Test victory, the IPL is fast becoming favourite whipping horse.
The selection document, rummaged by the hawk-eyed journalist, reveals that South Africa-born Jonathan Trott, the England selectors' surprise weapon who has been kept in cotton wool and left out of the ongoing tour match against the England Lions at Canterbury at the last minute, is part of the squad, with out-of-form opening batsman Ravi Bopara axed.
It has also given Australia crucial early intelligence and enabled them to formulate plans to counter Trott, set to bat at No 4 or 5 behind openers Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook, with controversial selection Ian Bell coming in at first drop.
Trott, the uncapped Warwickshire batsman has a first-class average of 44.31 and is having an outstanding season, averaging 92.
Flintoff has been pronounced fit and should do a lot to bolster England's morale after their humiliating innings and 80-run annihilation at Headingley.
Speculation about the recall of 39-year old Mark Ramprakash and notoriously mentally-fragile Marcus Trescothick has proved unfounded, but Monty Panesar has been included in the squad, but spinneru00a0 Graeme Swann is expected to hold his place.
Selection chief Miller said: "Ravi Bopara has been going through a tough time with the bat ... and we have decided to leave him out for this game. He will be extremely disappointed but remains very much part of our plans for the future."
"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels 
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
