India v England: Cook thankful for Pietersen’s return to ODI set-up

Alastair Cook has admitted he is thankful for the return of Kevin Pietersen to England’s one-day side ahead of this month’s five-match series against India.

The South African-born batsman dramatically quit the ODIs last summer before being “reintegrated” into the England set up – in all formats – ahead of the Test series versus India before Christmas.

England will be in desperate need of Pietersen’s experience and nous after choosing to rest Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott and James Anderson for the series.

“It is great to have KP back in the one-day side,” Cook told Sky Sports. “I can’t speak highly enough of the way he went about things in India in the Test series.

“As a captain it is great to have a player like him back fresh and desperate to score runs for England.”

On taking up the captaincy in September, Cook immediately sought a resolution to Pietersen’s exile from the team, and thankfully for England, he returned.

In the Test tour of India before Christmas, Pietersen propelled his side to victory averaging 48.28 in the 2-1 series success and hitting a memorable 186 in Mumbai.

“That hundred in Mumbai was such an important innings that proved his worth. Hopefully his experience in these conditions, with the Indian Premier League as well, is something we can use over the next three weeks,” added Cook.

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