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Pietersen backs England spinners to deliver

Kevin Pietersen has reiterated his commitment to attend the birth of his first child, even if means leaving the field mid game

Cricinfo staff
30-Apr-2010
Kevin Pietersen will be ready to fly for to England for the birth of his first child  •  Getty Images

Kevin Pietersen will be ready to fly for to England for the birth of his first child  •  Getty Images

Kevin Pietersen has backed Graeme Swann and Michael Yardy to carry England 'a long way' in the World Twenty20 but reiterated his commitment to attending the birth of his first child, even if meant leaving the field mid game.
Aside from Bangladesh, England are the only Test-playing nation not to win a global tournament and have endured a dismal run in recent times. Yet they play their first game on Monday in Guyana in conditions likely to favour the slower bowlers and Pietersen feels England have the men to deliver.
"I think we've got a good chance," Pietersen said. "We've got some pretty good spin bowlers - Swanny's obviously world-class, [Michael] Yardy's performed brilliantly in the two warm-up games, and I think I may have a trundle in Guyana on those wickets."
"If we field well, take all our catches and have some moments of brilliance, I don't see any reason why we can't go a long, long way. But anyone could win this tournament - it's very unpredictable."
Should they make the final it is likely Pietersen will not be available because he will leave the Caribbean to be present at the birth of his first child, who is due on the weekend of May 15 and 16. He has made his position clear all along and has the support of the England management.
"As soon as she goes into labour, I'll be off," he said. "No matter where it is in the tournament, I'll be off - and it's been cleared with the management to do that. If I'm in the middle of a match, I'll obviously get off the field and then I'll be on the next plane that flies into London Heathrow."
Should he leave the tournament, Pietersen would be following on from a precedent set in recent times. Andrew Strauss missed the third Test against Pakistan in 2005 and Matt Prior missed the fourth Test against West Indies last year. It's a trend Pietersen is happy to see continue. "I think it's pretty sad that if you have your first child people criticise you for wanting to be there, whatever walk of life."