Kevin Pietersen has been omitted from England’s one-day squads for their tour of New Zealand next year as England’s selectors have accepted that he needs to rest to survive a heavy international schedule.
Formal rest periods have become ever more prevalent in England cricket, but Pietersen’s absence from the New Zealand squads as England look to manage his workload is nevertheless a notable concession to the player so soon after his lengthy dispute with the England hierarchy.
Geoff Miller, England’s national selector, said: “There are a number of players who we have decided not to select for parts of the competitive programme this winter as we look to manage their workloads effectively while ensuring we remain competitive across all formats. We feel this is the best way of keeping players as physically and mentally fresh as possible during a demanding 2013 and beyond.
“Kevin Pietersen will miss the limited overs tour of New Zealand with Graeme Swann missing the T20 leg of the tour. This approach also provides an opportunity for talented young players to gain more international experience which will be important for their development and the development of England sides in the future.”
Pietersen is expected to play in the Test series in March before heading to India for the IPL ahead of the English season.
Since his much-publicised “reintegration” into the England set-up Pietersen has missed two Twenty20 series despite being one of the world’s most outstanding players in this format. He was also rested for the two matches against India, but England still drew the series 1-1 after winning in Mumbai and registered their highest winning total in Twenty20 cricket in the process.
England’s introduction of a job share in their coaching set-up, with Andy Flower running the Test squad and Ashley Giles taking charge of the the ODI and Twenty20 sides in the New Year, supervised by Flower as overall team director, is another recognition of cricket’s demanding calendar.
England have played 44 matches in all formats this year and the ECB has now accepted that for players and management rest periods are essential if they are to maintain hunger, fitness and a stable family life.
England omit Pietersen for New Zealand series
