Pietersen confident of Vaughan return

5 August 2008

Kevin Pietersen expects Michael Vaughan to be back for England soon

Kevin Pietersen begins his job as England’s new captain for the build-up to the final Test at the Brit Oval today hoping he will soon be able to welcome back Michael Vaughan into a squad again.

The 28-year-old Hampshire batsman was officially unveiled as England’s captain of all their teams at Lord’s press conference yesterday following the shock resignation of Vaughan and Paul Collingwood as England’s Test and one-day captains.

Pietersen is likely play alongside Collingwood again in the forthcoming one-day series against South Africa, but for the time being must do without Vaughan’s services while he takes a break from the game before returning to action with Yorkshire by the end of the summer.

Having scored only 40 runs in five innings during the current Test series before resigning, Vaughan’s form has dipped but Pietersen has no doubt he can rediscover his form in domestic cricket and be a force on the international stage again.

“I respect Michael’s decision to have a few weeks off,” Pietersen said.

“Speaking to him yesterday, I believe he is still a fantastic batter, one of the best batters we’ve got in this country.

“Michael says he wants to score runs for Yorkshire and he’ll go back into county cricket without any stresses or strains and he’ll score as many runs as he can and I’m sure Michael will be back in this England team.”

Vaughan has been replaced in the 13-man squad for this week’s final Test by Essex’s Ravi Bopara as Pietersen sets out to emulate his record as England’s most successful captain with 26 wins from 51 Tests.

He has already conceded that replacing Vaughan is no easy task, but intends to use all the knowledge in the dressing room to help him through the inevitable shaky early stages of his captaincy.

Vaughan is taking a break from England duty during the fourth npower Test at the Brit Oval

“They are huge boots I’ve got to try and fill, but I’ll give it the best possible I can give it,” Pietersen added.

“I’ll always respect the job Michael has done and the jobs my predecessors have done and I will always look for advice. I am fresh into this captaincy and I’ll need some advice and help along the way.

“I spoke to Michael at great lengths and one of the most exciting things is that I’ve had text messages and phone calls from the senior players in the squad.

“They basically said ‘we’re right behind you and we’ll support you’ - once you’ve got the support from the lads around you, who you’re with all the time, there’s nothing more you can ask for.”

Bopara is expected to slot back into the team at number five with Ian Bell being promoted up to his preferred number three spot as England attempt to bounce back quickly from their series defeat to South Africa.

If they are to do that they will need the new captain to deliver consistently, but the selectors remain confident he can handle the pressures without it affecting his status as England’s best batsman.

National selector Geoff Miller said: “We did discuss his batting but it was a short discussion because we know what his capabilities are.

“I don’t see there’s going to be any problem whatsoever. I know what he’s capable of doing and if he takes to captaincy like he’s taken to batting I don’t for see any problem whatsoever.”