Kevin Pietersen signs central contract with ECB ? Cricket News ...

Kevin Pietersen signs central contract with ECB ? Cricket News Update

Bringing his long-standing spat with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to an end, batsman Kevin Pietersen has finally signed a four-month central contract with the England board, and will undergo a programme designed to reintegrate him into the national team.

?Kevin has signed a central contract today. Andy Flower will determine the progress of the re-integration process. It could be soon, it could be much later,? said ECB chairman Giles Clarke.

Meanwhile, the board released an official statement confirming the move, going on to add that the batsman would be considered for selection once the reintegration programme is complete. Whether Pietersen will make it back into the team in time for England?s tour of India later this year, however, remains to be seen.

?ECB and Kevin Pietersen confirm that agreement has been reached concerning a process for his reintegration into the England team during the remainder of 2012. Upon completion of the programme, the England selectors will consider Kevin for future matches,? read the official statement released by the board. ?

?Kevin Pietersen has apologised to Andrew Strauss and wishes to express to all those who support England his regrets at the impact the recent controversies have had on the England Team,? the statement went on to add, stating that Pietersen was keen on putting the controversy behind him and aimed to focus on regaining his spot in the national team.

The stand-off between Pietersen and the board was sparked earlier this year, when the right-hander announced his retirement from all forms of international limited-overs cricket, claiming the schedule was far too hectic for his liking. The retirement gave rise to concerns regarding his commitment to the national team, with many criticising the 32-year-old for choosing the Indian Premier League over national duties.

Pietersen gave voice to issues he had with the board during South Africa?s tour of England earlier this year, and hinted at discord and hostility directed towards him in the England dressing room. However, the situation reached a boiling point when it was alleged that Pietersen had sent provocative texts to the visiting South African players, in which he supposedly used derogatory language against then captain Andrew Strauss and ECB officials, in addition to offering the rival team tactical advice.

Pietersen was subsequently dropped from the national line-up, and although he apologised for his actions and reiterated his commitment to England, a quick return to the national team appeared unlikely.

However, following a series of talks, the board has agreed to accept the batsman back into the fold. The official statement confirmed that Pietersen has offered his ?binding assurance? that the text messages contained nothing of the sort that had been alleged. The hard-hitting batsman has also gone on to express his eagerness at returning to the national side as soon as possible, and the team will be glad to have him, having lost their top Test team status and failed to defend their World T20 title, all within the space of a few months.

Source: http://blogs.bettor.com/Kevin-Pietersen-signs-central-contract-with-ECB-Cricket-News-Update-a192041

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