Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Pietersen not included in England's Test squad for India

September 18, 2012 15:43 IST

Kevin Pietersen's future in international cricket was thrown into further doubt on Tuesday after he was not picked in the 16-man England Test squad for the forthcoming four-Test match series in India.

The squad includes two uncapped batsmen, Somerset's Nick Compton and Yorkshire's Joe Root, and three spin bowlers in Samit Patel, Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann.

- Cricket Calendar

England Cricket Board's 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.

Kevin Pietersen"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."

Pietersen was omitted from England's last Test match of the summer against South Africa after allegedly sending controversial text messages to opposing players and falling out with team-mates.

The 32-year-old right-hander retired from One-Day International cricket this year before reversing his decision. He was not among 10 players awarded central contracts for the 2013 season named by the England and Wales Cricket Board last week.

ECB Managing Director -- England Cricket, Hugh Morris, added: "Both ECB and England team management have had meetings with Kevin Pietersen to address the issues which led to his omission from the final Test match against South Africa.

"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."

England Test Squad to tour India:

Alastair Cook (captain) Essex

James Anderson (Lancashire)

Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire)

Ian Bell (Warwickshire)

Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire)

Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)

Nick Compton (Somerset)

Steven Finn (Middlesex)

Graham Onions (Durham)

Eoin Morgan (Middlesex)

Monty Panesar (Sussex)

Samit Patel (Nottinghamshire)

Matt Prior (Sussex)

Joe Root (Yorkshire)

Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire)

Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire)