LONDON — Kevin Pietersen has been added to England's Test squad for next month's tour to India after being dropped over a controversial text-message row. The decision to recall the South African-born batsman was made after he met up with coach Andy Flower, captain Alastair Cook and other senior players and members of England's management team earlier this week. “We were keen Kevin should hold a series of face-to-face meetings with team management and senior players before the Test squad departs for the UAE and India next week,” England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) managing director Hugh Morris said in a statement Thursday. “The meetings were constructive and cordial and all outstanding issues have been resolved.” “BOOOOOOOOM!! The happiest days of my career have been playing cricket for ENG. Long may that continue! Thanks everyone for your kind words,” Pietersen tweeted Thursday. Pietersen was dropped by England for the third and final Test against South Africa at Lord's in August after admitting sending provocative texts to the tourists' players. But the batsman denied allegations he told them how to dismiss former captain Andrew Strauss. Strauss quit cricket after South Africa won the Test series 2-0. India, meanwhile, has switched the venues for two ODIs against England early next year and also changed match timings due to the expected cold weather. The fourth match of the five-match series will now be played in Mohali on Jan. 23 and the fifth in Dharamshala on Jan. 27, the Indian cricket board said in a statement. Earlier, Dharamshala was due to host the fourth game and Mohali the fifth. The Mohali match will start at 12 noon, instead of 2:30 P.M., and the one in Dharamshala will be a day game starting at 9 A.M., the statement said. — Agencies
