Kevin Pietersen returns to Andrew Strauss's England
The media were kept at arm’s length, but it is safe to assume there were some awkward moments as Pietersen made his first appearance back among the playing ranks after his brief captaincy stint ended abruptly.
Strauss, who will lead the Test and one-day sides for the trip to the West Indies, gave a half-hour pep talk to his squad, who will arrive in St Kitts on Wednesday ahead of four Tests, a Twenty20 international and five one-day internationals.
One player hoping to make a breakthrough is Yorkshire’s leg-spinning all-rounder Adil Rashid, but his county captain, Anthony McGrath, has warned about expecting too much from him.
Rashid will compete with Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar for a Test place, but McGrath said the 20-year-old could be six years away from being at his best. “Leg-spin is a difficult art, but Adil has bowled really well and deserves his chance,” McGrath said.
“My only reservation is, if it doesn’t go too well, that he is discarded. We will not see the best of Adil Rashid until he is 26, 27 or 28.”
The International Cricket Council have asked officials in Pakistan to explain what action they plan to take against paceman Mohammad Asif after his drugs arrest.
The 26-year-old was detained in June for nearly three weeks for possession of opium as he was returning to Pakistan after playing in the Indian Premier League.
Hampshire have signed Western Australia captain Marcus North as their overseas player for the first part of this summer, before leg-spinner Imran Tahir arrives in June.
India’s tour of New Zealand has been extended to include a third Test and a second Twenty20 international at the expense of any practice match.
Players’ representatives from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa have begun talks on an IPL-style tri-nation Twenty20 league that will involve franchises from the countries and begin from 2011.
source :www.telegraph.co.uk
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