Morgan ruled out of Twenty20 clash

James Tredwell will lead England in their second T20 against New Zealand after Eoin Morgan, pictured, was ruled out
27 June 2013

Stand-in captain Eoin Morgan has been ruled out of tonight's second Twenty20 international against New Zealand, meaning James Tredwell will lead the side.

Morgan, who was deputising as skipper with Stuart Broad rested, has suffered a hand injury and England will now turn to Kent spinner Tredwell as a third option.

A post on the England and Wales Cricket Board's official Twitter feed read: "#Eoin16 ruled out of NatWest IT20 vs #BLACKCAPS tonight with right hand injury. James Tredwell will captain the side."

The news caps a dramatic rise for Tredwell, who has been seen as strictly a back-up to Graeme Swann in the England set-up until his impressive performances in the Champions Trophy saw him retain his place for the final even after Swann regained fitness.

The 31-year-old has succeeded Rob Key as captain of his county side this season and has now amassed 26 international appearances in all formats, including six previous Twenty20 games and a solitary Test against Bangladesh.

Tonight's game at the Oval will also see Kevin Pietersen make his long-awaited return, having not pulled on an England shirt since he was forced home from the reverse tour of New Zealand in March with a knee injury.

A prolonged recovery had threatened his Ashes place but, after marking his return to competitive action with an unbeaten 177 for Surrey at the weekend, Pietersen is ready to resume his England duties on his 33rd birthday today. The right-hander warmed up for tonight's game with a specifically organised training session at the Oval nets yesterday.

Overseen by spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed and with none of his team-mates present, Pietersen was put through his paces for 20 minutes by a pool of net bowlers. He showed no obvious sign of discomfort and at one point launched one of the bowlers out of the stadium.

Immediately after returning to the dressing-room Pietersen posted a picture of himself in his England training kit on Twitter, accompanied by a message which read: "Back with ENG!"

Tonight's game will be Pietersen's only opportunity to impress in an England shirt against international opposition before the Ashes begin at Trent Bridge on July 10. He has also been included for England's Ashes warm-up match against Essex, which starts on Sunday.

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