England recalls Kevin Pietersen for India tour

LONDON (AP) — Kevin Pietersen was added to England's test squad on Thursday for the tour of India starting in November after resolving his issues with management and teammates following a drawn-out, phone-message row.

The flamboyant batsman was forced to undertake a "program of reintegration" after falling out of favor with England for exchanging provocative texts with South Africa players about then-test captain Andrew Strauss in August.

That process has lasted barely two weeks, however, with Pietersen quickly recalled after holding face-to-face discussions with team management and senior players in England this week.

"The meetings were constructive and cordial and all outstanding issues have been resolved," said Hugh Morris, managing director of the England and Wales Cricket Board. "All the England players and management are now keen to draw a line under this matter and fully focus on the cricketing challenge that lies ahead in India."

The addition of Pietersen, who averages nearly 50 in test matches, bolsters a batting lineup that had looked short of experience. With Pietersen out of contention and Strauss retired, England called up uncapped batsmen Joe Root and Nick Compton into a 16-man squad last month.

"We are pleased to welcome a player of Kevin's proven international caliber back into the test squad for such an important test series," ECB national selector Geoff Miller said.

Pietersen will join up with England once his Champions League commitments in South Africa with Delhi Daredevils are finished. England flies out to a training camp in Dubai next Thursday, with the first test against India beginning on Nov. 15.

"As we anticipate that Ian Bell will return home for the birth of his first child around the time of the second test in Mumbai (starting on Nov. 23), the team will benefit from having an extra batsman in the squad," Miller said.