4 Sep 2012

Kevin Pietersen to be welcomed back to England setup

6:04 am on 4 September 2012

Kevin Pietersen has been given hope of a return from international exile after two England cricketers claimed the controversial batsman would be welcomed back into the squad.

Pietersen was dropped by England after falling out with captain Andrew Strauss and his teammates following a series of behind the scenes incidents.

But England batsmen Eoin Morgan and Ravi Boparahave both expressed desire to see their old teammate return to the international setup.

The 32-year-old enraged sparked controversy by sending provocative text messages to South African players that contained criticism of Strauss and coach Andy Flower.

As punishment for his behaviour, Pietersen was axed from the final Test against South Africa, the subsequent one-day series and will also be absent from England's defence of their ICC World Twenty20 crown in Sri Lanka this month.