KP lets his bat do the talking

Kevin Pietersen returned to the England ranks with a spectacular hundred - but the fitness of another former England captain, Andrew Flintoff, is causing minor concern.

Pietersen began the healing process following his acrimonious departure as England leader with the first hundred of the Caribbean tour, while Owais Shah also reached three figures as England ended the day on 424 for eight against a St Kitts and Nevis XI.

But the withdrawal of Flintoff from the three-day affair at Warner Park - as a precautionary measure due to soreness in his left side - is a disruption to preparations for the first Test against West Indies in Jamaica. Stuart Broad will take his place for the rest of the match in St Kitts.

"What happened to me for a couple of weeks really, really hurt me," said Pietersen, who was persuaded to resign after calling for former coach Peter Moores to be removed.

"I have just got to really and truly get back to doing what I love. And when I cross over the white line, that is what I love.

"I love training, I love batting and I love scoring runs for England.

"It has been difficult but I am okay now; I would like a few questions answered first for everything to be gone but time is healing."

Pietersen has maintained he only pushed for Moores' removal after being asked for his blueprint for the England team by his bosses at Lord's.

"I suppose it was frustrating because I did everything by the book, everything that I was supposed to do," he added.

"But it is done and dusted. I just wanted to get back playing cricket, back into the dressing room with the lads and there is no better place to do that than in the Caribbean."