England stand-in captain Eoin Morgan has heaped praise on batsman Kevin Pietersen amid their five-match one-day series with Australia.
The Three Lions have decided to rest Alastair Cook, James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann and Ian Bell following their 3-0 Ashes victory over the Baggy Greens earlier this summer.
However, Morgan is relieved to have some experience among the squad in the form of Pietersen.
"Kev offers a hell of a lot as a senior player and as a batsman," Morgan told reporters.
"He leads by example, the confidence in which he goes about his business. People rub off on it and it's crucial."
The first one-day international starts on Friday at Headingley.
Written by
Matt Cotton
Matt Cotton
