LONDON — Kevin Pietersen was set to meet with England coach Andy Flower late Saturday, the BBC and British media reported, in a bid to resolve his international future. The South Africa-born batsman has been exiled from the England team since the drawn second Test against the Proteas in Leeds, where he made a brilliant 149, after it emerged he'd sent “provocative” text messages to opposition players. Some of these were alleged to be critical of Andrew Strauss, the then England Test captain, who retired from all cricket Wednesday. He is also playing no part in the ongoing ODI series against South Africa which England, in its first match since one-day captain Alastair Cook was confirmed as Strauss's successor as Test skipper, leveled at 1-1 with two to play following a four-wicket win at The Oval Friday. Half-centuries from Eoin Morgan and Jonathan Trott had steered England to the series-leveling victory over South Africa. The home team, chasing 212 to win, got home with four wickets and 12 balls to spare after Morgan bludgeoned his way to 73 and Trott scored a painstaking 71. Earlier, South Africa was bowled out for 211 in 46.4 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat. Openers Hashim Amla (43) and Graeme Smith (18) put on 50 for the first wicket but England slowly whittled its way through the batting order. James Anderson led the way with four for 44 while fellow paceman Jade Dernbach picked up three for 44. Dean Elgar made 42 for South Africa and JP Duminy chipped in with 33. The visitors then reduced England to 64 for three in reply, captain Alastair Cook falling for 20, fellow opener Ian Bell for 12 and Ravi Bopara for a duck. Trott and Morgan then combined for a match-winning stand of 108 for the fourth wicket. Morgan lashed 73 in 67 balls with seven fours and two sixes while Trott dropped anchor, compiling 71 in 125 deliveries. After the pair fell in quick succession, it was left to Samit Patel to guide England home with an unbeaten 13. The fourth match is at Lord's Sunday. — Reuters
