Flower hopes for Pietersen return for Ashes

Kevin Pietersen is slowly recovering from a knee injury that he sustained in Test Series in New Zealand. He will meet coach Andy Flower to discuss about his return to international cricket.

Andy Flower has also talked about the importance of Kevin Pietersen for the Ashes series against Australia. “He’ll be practicing from now on. Not with the team – the team will be focusing on winning games (Champions Trophy). Kev’s focus is getting back to full fitness.”

Pietersen is expected to play in County Championship match for Surrey on June 12. Andy Flower, however, has told that he can’t fix a date on Pietersen’s return. “Our medical staff is constantly monitoring how he’s getting on. So we’ll be making those types of decisions closer to the time.

“We are thinking optimistically about his injury improving and it’s nice that he’s pain free. Kevin’s a really special player and we want him back as soon as he’s fit enough to be back. So that is good news for us and hopefully his improvement graph will carry on in the same way.”

England are set to play five Test matches and five One-Day International matches before a couple of Twenty20 international matches during that series.