ECB have also awarded four incremental contracts – to Jonny Bairstow, who
replaced the dropped Pietersen to impressive effect in last month’s Lord’s
Test against South Africa, Ravi Bopara, limited-overs wicketkeeper Craig
Kieswetter and Durham seamer Graham Onions.
Tonight’s ECB statement, accompanying the announcement of the contracts, made
one scant reference to Pietersen – whose return to the fold, after his
well-chronicled contract disputes and the “provocative” text messages sent
to South Africa players during the Headingley Test, depends on a series of
meetings with coach Andy Flower and Cook.
“In respect to Kevin Pietersen, discussions are on-going – and they remain
private,” the statement read.
National selector Geoff Miller made special mention of Onions, awarded an
increment contract after his return from a career-threatening back injury –
even though he has played just one Test since his comeback.
“Congratulations to Graham Onions, the one addition to the list of players who
have been awarded increment contracts, in recognition of the effort he has
put in since his return from injury in 2011 and an indication that we feel
he has plenty to offer England in the coming months,” said Miller.
“Contracts are on-going recognition for those players who have regularly been
selected for England and have performed consistently as well as players who
we feel could play an important role for England over the next 12 months.”
Broad, in his capacity as Twenty20 captain, earlier made it clear his squad of
specialists are happy to face South Africa – in a three-match series
starting in Chester-le-Street tomorrow – and prepare for the defence of
their ICC world crown, without Pietersen.
Broad has long been plotting England’s autumn campaign, here and at the World
Twenty20 in Sri Lanka, in the knowledge Pietersen’s talents would not be in
the equation.
The South Africa-born batsman’s reversal, last month, of his initial decision
at the end of May to retire from all international limited-overs cricket
changed little.
Asked if England can retain the World Twenty20 without Pietersen, he said: “Of
course, yeah.
“Our planning started for the ‘World Cup’ with the Trent Bridge game (against
West Indies) earlier in the summer.”
Alex Hales, Pietersen’s replacement at the top of the order, made a
big-hitting 99 as England won that June fixture by seven wickets.
“Kevin had made himself unavailable, so obviously Alex came in and scored the
highest score by an England batsman in Twenty20 cricket – and played
beautifully and helped us win that game,” added Broad.
“We’ve got eight of the ‘World Cup’ winners still in this squad; we’ve got a
lot of domestic experience in the likes of Samit Patel and Jos Buttler.
“I think we have got a really exciting squad – so, of course, I think we’ve
got a chance.”
England have simply become attuned to preparing without Pietersen.
“We’ve had a bit of time to get used to it,” said Broad.
“It was a bit of a shock when he did retire. But he made that decision, and we
obviously planned from then to be without him.”
Broad, for one, is happy to leave it to others to work out whether Pietersen
plays for his adopted country again.
“It’s purely an ECB call at the moment, isn’t it?
“I do very much trust their call on it. I don’t know all the ins and outs of
it, but it’s completely in their hands at the moment.”
In the more immediate future, he has minor concerns over the fitness of his
bowling attack to face South Africa.
Broad himself broke the nail on the index finger of his bowling hand, in
practice this morning, but expects to be fit.
Finn was able to take full part in practice, but may not be risked because of
his stiff back – and it seems Bresnan has little chance of playing after
having a scan on the bowling elbow which required surgery last December and
then kept him out of England’s Test series defeat against Pakistan in the
UAE.
List of England and Wales Cricket Board centrally contracted players for
the 2012-13 season
James Anderson (Lancashire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Tim Bresnan
(Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Alastair Cook (Essex), Steven
Finn (Middlesex), Eoin Morgan (Middlesex), Matt Prior (Sussex), Graeme Swann
(Nottinghamshire), Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire).
Incremental contracts: Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Ravi Bopara (Essex),
Craig Kieswetter (Somerset), Graham Onions (Durham).