Swann: KP may have to fight for place
GRAEME SWANN insists England team-mate Kevin Pietersen is by no means assured of a place in the team when he makes his long-awaited return from injury.
Pietersen joins up with the England squad in South Africa tomorrow after recovering from the Achilles tendon injury which ruled him out of the last three Ashes Tests in the summer.
His arrival will undoubtedly strengthen England’s top-order but spinner Swann insists the star batsman will not find it easy to walk straight back into the side, especially given England’s early form on the tour so far.
“He’s a massive personality and a massive player,” Swann said. “It’s going to be good for the team from a playing perspective because he’s one of the best players in the world.
“I don’t think it’s a squad that’s sitting there desperately hoping that other people turn up because I think we’re all getting on well, we’ve got a very positive outlook and we’ve had some good performances. So Kev’s just going to add to that, I don’t think he’s going to change it. You never know, he might even have to fight for his place when he gets here.”
The tourists have already rallied to comfortable victories over the Eagles and the Warriors so far and continue their tour with a 20-over match against South Africa A in Bloemfontein this afternoon.