Pietersen named in England Twenty20 squad

Kevin Pietersen has been named in England's 14-man squad for a two-match Twenty20 series against New Zealand after returning from a knee injury, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Thursday.

Pietersen, England's most explosive batsman, missed their one-day series against New Zealand as well as the Champions Trophy competition, fuelling speculation he could be a doubt for the Ashes.

A statement on the ECB website said Pietersen would join the squad for the second match against New Zealand provided he successfully completes a county championship game for Surrey beginning on June 21.

England face New Zealand on June 25 and 27 while the home five-test Ashes series against Australia starts in Nottingham on July 10.

England are through to the Champions Trophy final and will face either India or Sri Lanka on Sunday

Photograph: David Gray/Reuters