Pietersen: leadership chance

KP is quite capable of doing the job.

Geoff Miller
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National selector Geoff Miller said it was an easy decision to hand the England one-day captaincy to Kevin Pietersen for Saturday's NatWest Series decider.

With regular skipper Paul Collingwood banned for four matches as punishment for a slow over-rate during England's one-wicket defeat at the Oval on Wednesday, South African-born Pietersen has been given the chance to lead his adopted country for the first time.

"It was not a tough decision, we were unanimous," Miller told Sky Sports News when asked about the selection panel's choice of stand-in.

"KP is quite capable of doing the job, I had chat with him this morning (Friday) and he's looking forward to it.

"He's in charge and has his own way of doing things. It's not for me to interfere in that side of things, he'll have a discussion with (head coach) Peter (Moores) and the players on how he wants to run the game."

Passionate

On Pietersen's South African upbringing, Miller commented: "He's passionate about playing for England, wants England to do well and be the best in the world - I had no worries about that whatsoever."

Miller also had positive words for Collingwood despite his controversial leadership during the last-ball defeat at the Oval.

The Durham batsman was handed his four-match ban by the International Cricket Council for England's slow over-rate, the severity of the punishment reflecting the fact it was the team's second offence during the last 12 months.

But it was his decision to appeal for the run-out of New Zealand all-rounder Grant Elliott that provided most of the post-match headlines - Collingwood choosing to uphold the appeal despite the fact the bails were removed as Elliott lay stricken on the ground following a blameless mid-pitch collision with Ryan Sidebottom.

He apologised for that lapse in judgement during his post-match comments, a move that went some way to defusing the anger felt among the New Zealanders.

"He has the full backing of the ECB," confirmed Miller. "There is no question mark over his position.

Quality

"Paul Collingwood is a quality player, he'll be involved in the Test match arena and then he'll come back into the equation when we start talking about the one-dayers (against South Africa).

"I see no reason why he should not come back as captain but we'll have to assess things when the time arises."

On the Elliott run-out incident, Miller noted: "He had to make a quick decision and in the cold light of day he realises it might have been the wrong one.

"He has accepted that and apologised. Hopefully that issue is now closed and we move on from there."

The issue of England's slow over-rate is something Miller is keen to see rectified.

"It's a team thing, not just about Paul Collingwood," he said. "It was avoidable and we must improve that in the future."