Pietersen wants 'braver selection'

Former batsman Kevin Pietersen has implored England to employ bold selection ahead of a tough Test series against India.

Former batsman Kevin Pietersen has implored England to employ bold selection ahead of a tough Test series against India.

The English have retained the same squad that suffered defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka earlier this year. All-rounder Ben Stokes, though, has been added ahead of next week's opener in Nottingham.

"In order for the public to get hold of the team and to accept what's going on we need braver selections," Pietersen told <i>Sky Sports News.</i>

"The talent is there, there are some fantastic cricketers out there. England just need to be a little bit more brave, if you're going to talk the talk you'd better walk the walk."

The 34-year-old Pietersen, who was sidelined from international cricket prior to February's tour of the Caribbean, will represent the Rest of the World XI against a strong Marylebone Cricket Club outfit in Saturday's showpiece limited-overs fixture, which will commemorate the bicentenary of Lord's.

"I never give up, I'm only 34, I'm still young so hopefully one day I can play here in front of full houses but I just want to enjoy Saturday. I've got the hunger for it and the body's good so I want to go out there and do well," he added.

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