MUMBAI — Kevin Pietersen's England exile following a controversial text-message row will end Tuesday when he plays against India A in a three-day match. The flamboyant middle-order batsman was dropped for the third and final Test against South Africa at Lord's in August after he admitted sending provocative texts to the opposition. “Kevin will play tomorrow and bat at number four,” England coach Andy Flower told reporters in Mumbai Monday. Pietersen had been left out of the touring party but earlier this month he was added to the squad following meetings with Flower, captain Alastair Cook and other senior players and members of the management team. His return will boost England, who lost its world No. 1 Test status to South Africa in August, in its quest to win a Test series in India for the first time since 1985. England, who arrived in India Monday after a three-day training camp in Dubai, play three warmup matches before the four-Test series starts in Ahmedabad on Nov. 15. India A has not included a frontline spinner, denying England practice against the slow bowlers who are likely to have a big say in deciding the Test series. Wade gets nod over Haddin Matthew Wade was named Monday as Australia's wicketkeeper for the opening clash against South Africa in Brisbane next week, suggesting Brad Haddin's Test career could be at an end. Haddin, 35, has been resurgent in recent months, leading the Sydney Sixers to the Champions League Twenty20 title Sunday, but Australia's five-man selection panel opted for the younger Wade, 24. Australia's 12-man squad includes an expected top-six batting lineup, with Ed Cowan to open with David Warner, followed by Shane Watson, 165-Test veteran Ricky Ponting, skipper Michael Clarke and veteran Mike Hussey. South Africa jetted into Australia Sunday aiming to consolidate its position as the No. 1 Test team, which it arned in August with a series triumph in England. Squad: Michael Clarke (captain), David Warner, Ed Cowan, Shane Watson, Ricky Ponting, Mike Hussey, Matthew Wade, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Ben Hilfenhaus. — Agencies
