Kevin Pietersen has convinced England's management of his undoubted good faith and commitment to serving the tourists as well as he is able long into the future
Pietersen is today expected to play his second and final warm-up match before the start of the tough four-Test series against India.
The maverick superstar’s return to England colours last week, after his summer of discontent, brought 23 frenetic runs against India A.
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He then sat out the tour match against Mumbai A, but will be hoping to fine-tune preparations for next week’s first Test in Ahmedabad in the four-day fixture against Haryana on an adjacent ground.
England have been on message to a man about Pietersen’s well-being and the harmonious atmosphere in the camp since the 32-year-old completed his ‘reintegration’ process to the satisfaction of coach Andy Flower and others, and was subsequently added to the squad for this tour.
Batting coach Graham Gooch was yesterday the latest to spell out his personal belief that Pietersen’s contract wrangles and breakdown of relations with senior players and management are all in the past.
“I don’t think it’s an issue with Kevin. All the things have been done and dusted. My conversations with Kevin, and from what I’ve seen the way he is working, he’s looking forward to this tour.”