15 Aug 2012

Opinions divided over Petersen's absence

6:08 am on 15 August 2012

Opinions are divided about the absence from the England cricket team of Kevin Pietersen for this week's third and final test against South Africa at Lord's.

Pietersen, who scored a brilliant century in the second test, has been dropped for the deciding match because he failed to confirm he did not send derogatory text messages about teammates to the opposition.

The Proteas' all rounder Jacques Kallis says Pietersen's proved his world class over many years, but Pietersen's teammates Graeme Swann and Tim Bresnan don't think they'll be that much worse off.

Swann says they need all 11 players to be pulling in the same direction.

England must win the test to ensure they retaing their status as the world's number one test nation.