Pietersen saga acting as 'unwelcome' distraction for England ahead of Proteas series

London, July 17 (ANI): Kevin Pietersen's attempts to negotiate with the England Wales Cricket Board (ECB) over a possible return to the limited over squad is causing unwanted distraction just days before the Test series against the South Africa , according to former England cricketer Dereck Pringle.

If Pietersen gets a cold welcome from Andy Flower and the England team when they meet at The Oval on Tuesday, it will be down to the timing of his attempt to be reinstated in England's one-day and T20 teams.

It is also believed that sympathy for Pietersen in the England dressing room will be in short supply, and it will be interesting to see how the crowd respond to him on Thursday when the first Test starts.

The Proteas will be rousing and disquieting for all they are worth, but the thickness of Pietersen's skin has a strong correlation to his form, which has been superb of late, so it may prove counter-productive.

"With all this furore, Kevin is bound to get a hundred now - it's how he operates," The Telegraph quoted one of Pietersen's former England teammates, as saying.

Pietersen could miss that regular buzz if he does not patch things up quickly with Flower and the England and Wales Cricket Board, though their mood appears to be hardening against him.

The 30-man squad for the World T20 has been picked and has to be named by tomorrow.

Pietersen has not been selected, as he is not available, though Geoff Miller, the national selector, was not ruling out a late change should Pietersen come out of retirement and accept the ECB's terms of employment unconditionally. (ANI)