Alastair Cook sacked: Kevin Pietersen’s World Cup hopes still alive

ENGLAND’S naming of Eoin Morgan as its new one-day captain may have at least left the door slightly ajar for Kevin Pietersen’s World Cup hopes.

One Day International. Australia v England. MCG. Kevin Pietersen walks from the ground after being run out by Mitchell Johnso...

KEVIN Pietersen at the World Cup is still a serious long shot, but England’s naming of his good friend Eoin Morgan as its new one-day captain may have at least left the door slightly ajar.

Alastair Cook has been sacked by the ECB and dropped from England’s 15-man World Cup squad. with Morgan notified of his appointment while preparing to play Sunday’s Big Bash match for the Sydney Thunder.

UK VIEW: ENGLAND IN UPROAR OVER COOK SACKING

Cook was the ECB’s man throughout their bitter exiling of Pietersen, and only a week ago, managing director of England cricket Paul Downton described the out-of-form left-hander as a “natural leader”.

England national selector James Whitaker said selectors spent a considerable time discussing the make up of a squad that gives England the best possible chance of success at the World Cup.

Kevin Pietersen is a chance to return to England’s ODI team.

“Having reviewed the recent series against Sri Lanka we came to the conclusion that there was no place for Alastair Cook amongst our strongest 15 one-day players and therefore recommended Eoin Morgan be appointed One-Day captain.”

Downton said he had complete confidence in the decision made by the selectors.

Cook said he was “gutted” to be left out of the World Cup squad.

“It is likely to take me a while to get over the disappointment,” he said.

The fact they’ve now sent him packing and opted for a more attacking style skipper shows that there are no certainties in cricket.

Great news that @Eoin16 is new England 1-day captain. Top player, leader and bloke. Hope I get to play for him.

— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) December 19, 2014

Former England captain Michael Vaughan says Cook’s axing was long overdue and expects Morgan will “not be scared to try new things”.

The question is, will the brilliant but much-maligned Pietersen be part of his bold new plan as skipper?

KP is also down under for the Melbourne Stars’ Big Bash campaign and certainly hopes the wheels are in motion for a comeback.

Alastair Cook’s shocking run of form continued in Sri Lanka.

“Great news that (Morgan) is new England 1-day captain. Top player, leader and bloke. Hope I get to play for him.,” he tweeted upon hearing of Cook’s downfall.

Welcoming back Pietersen to the international fold after he went off the reservation and sprayed leading figures in England cricket in his controversial autobiography would be a backflip of epic proportions.

And it’s a decision that will be largely out of Morgan’s hands, with the ECB showing no sign of relaxing their ban.

But it would appear the Pietersen debate is one Morgan wouldn’t mind having now he’s in a position of power just weeks out from the World Cup.

Kevin Pietersen impressed in his debut match for the Melbourne Stars.

In a recent interview with The Guardian, Morgan said he found it hard to fathom that the best cricketer he’d ever played with was on the blacklist.

“I think it is unbelievable in a way, because certainly he could still be playing cricket for England quite easily,” Morgan said.

“It is sad in a way to think that probably the best cricketer I have ever played with is not playing [internationally] any more.

“A guy I have had huge respect for, for a very long time and learnt a huge amount from isn’t playing probably as much as he should be. But it is tournaments like the Big Bash that will benefit from that and I think everybody will see a different side to Kevin than they normally would.

=Alastair Cook has been replaced by Eoin Morgan as the captain of England's one-day cricket team.

“Because everybody sees him in an Ashes series trying to fight against Australia whereas he will be on somebody’s side now. I think you will see a very relaxed side to Kevin.

“Kevin playing any from of cricket, regardless of what it is at the moment, is good for cricket in general. He is an ultimate professional; he tests himself regardless of what standard of cricket he is playing and I think it will be great for the tournament if or when he comes off.”

If there’s a man who could man manage the notoriously high-maintenance Pietersen, it’s Morgan.

The Irish-born run-maker’s personality has impressed those at the Sydney Thunder over the past two seasons, and is regarded as the ultimate team man.

Kevin Pietersen was dumped from England teams under Alastair Cook’s reign.

Vaughan wrote for The Daily Telegraph UK that Morgan’s captaincy style won’t be to sit back and wait for things to happen.

“Morgan is a very aggressive, flamboyant entertainer and we all dream of England playing that way too,” Vaughan wrote.

Many would argue that description also describes Pietersen — a proven matchwinner with 23 Test centuries and nine one-day hundreds to his name.

“Why wouldn’t you want KP in the side? He should be,” said Shane Warne, a friend of Pietersen and one of Cook’s biggest critics.

“It’s ridiculous.”

Alastair Cook has had a wretched run of form.

Test fast bowler Ryan Harris also said England would be doing Australia a favour by leaving Pietersen on the sidelines.

“If Kevin Pietersen’s available he’s got to be in your team,” Harris told Fox Sports.

“He’s an amazing player.

“If he’s not back in England colours and I do make it to England next year, I’m going to be happy because I’m not going to have to bowl to him.”

For Pietersen’s part, he’s indicated he would happily take a call from England selectors.