Kevin Pietersen Agrees New England Contract Announced today, Kevin Pietersen is said to have signed a new four month contract with England, but must undertake a "reintegration" phase before he returns to the team. Pietersen, a 32-year-old batsman was dropped from the team in August for sending "provocative" text messages to the opposing players during the recent Test series against South Africa "It's been a horrible situation for all those involved," said Pietersen. "I believe, all being well, I will be back in an England shirt as soon as possible." Pietersen, who now has a central contract which could be extended until September 2013, apologised to former captain Andrew Strauss and the ECB accepts the texts were not derogatory about him. "I'm fairly happy we're able to move forward. I'm happy we're able to draw a line under it and move on for a better result for England cricket," added Pietersen. Pietersen was not named in the 16-man squad for the four-Test tour of India starting next month. Asked if he could still be part of the England party, he said: "I hope so. I want to play for England as soon as I can." England's two-part tour to India ends with the fifth and final ODI on 27 January, and Pietersen's new four-month central contract covers all forms of the game. Any decision over an extension - to make it a full-year contract - will be made by team director Andy Flower, who will also decide when the "reintegration" process is complete. "I'd like to take this opportunity to apologise to my team-mates, all England supporters and the ECB for the situation that has arisen over the last couple of months," said Pietersen "Thankfully we have drawn a line under it and can move forward. Although it has been made clear in the statement, I'd like to make it clear that at no time did I share tactical information with any of the South Africans." |
