Cricket:England have left out controversial batsman Kevin Pietersen from the team to tour India next month despite recent talks between management and the player. Pietersen was dropped last month after admitting to sending controversial text messages to members of the opposing South Africa side.
England cricket managing director Hugh Morris said there are still issues to be resolved over the text message dispute. Pietersen’s omission opens the way for Nick Compton, the 29-year-old grandson of Denis, who was the top English batsman in the county championship last season with an average of 99.
Joe Root, 21, opened the batting for Yorkshire averaging 43.41 and could fill the gap left by the retirement of Andrew Strauss.
"Both ECB and England team management have had meetings with Kevin Pietersen to address the issues which led to his omission from the final test match against South Africa," Morris said in a
statement. "These discussions remain private and confidential and as there are issues still to be resolved Kevin has not been considered for selection for the India tour."
England:Alastair Cook, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Ian Bell, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Nick Compton, Steven Finn, Graham Onions, Eoin Morgan, Monty Panesar, Samit Patel, Matt Prior, Joe Root, Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott.