KP set to miss World T20
Pietersen likely to be overlooked for title defence next month
Last Updated: August 20, 2012 4:01pm
Kevin Pietersen: On the outside looking in
Kevin Pietersen is expected to be left out of England's World Twenty20 squad when it is announced on Tuesday.
Pietersen's international career is in jeopardy as his row with the ECB over text messages he sent to South Africa players continues.
He has retracted the decision to retire from all forms of international limited-overs cricket but the text saga means he is unlikely to be picked.
Confirmation of the World Twenty20 squad is expected to be announced on Tuesday morning, along with a probable 13-man group to face South Africa in five upcoming one-day internationals.
Pietersen's omission could mean a return to the T20 team for Alastair Cook who has not played the shortest format of the game for England for almost three years.
Ian Bell might be an alternative while Eoin Morgan, Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler all look good bets for selection along with openers Craig Kieswetter and Alex Hales.
Ravi Bopara would have been a certainty but he has recently dropped out of the England squad whilst he deals with personal issues.
Team captain Stuart Broad, Steven Finn, Jade Dernbach and Tim Bresnan look likely to be the pace options, with James Anderson set to miss out.
The spin bowling duties - likely to be critical on the subcontinent - are set to be filled by Graeme Swann and Samit Patel.
England are in Group A for the first-round stage of the 12-team tournament in Sri Lanka starting next month, alongside India and the fast-improving Afghanistan. The top two sides will progress to the Super Eight.
