Eoin Morgan will be delighted to welcome Kevin Pietersen's expertise and wisdom back into England's one-day international team.
Morgan, standing in as captain in place of the rested Alastair Cook for the five-match series against Australia set to get under way at Headingley, may well deploy Pietersen in the opener's position in which he has fared so well.
Pietersen, returning to the 50-over format for the first time since January because of injuries, is an obvious contender to help fill the vacancy left at the top of the order by the absence of Cook and Ian Bell.
He batted at number three when he last featured in ODI cricket but previously signed off as an opener with back-to-back centuries against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates in early 2012.
Much has happened to Pietersen and England in the intervening time - including Cook and Bell's prolific partnership.
But with both rested, Pietersen's average of 58.85 in eight attempts against the new ball - albeit exclusively in sub-continent or Middle East conditions - presents a compelling case for him to return to that role, probably alongside Michael Carberry.
It will not be merely Pietersen's runs, but his presence as a senior player in a largely inexperienced squad, which Morgan will hold dear.
"Kev offers a hell of a lot as a senior player and as a batsman," he said.
"He leads by example. The confidence with which he goes about his business, people rub off on that - and that's crucial.
"When I came into the team, he was one of the most senior players - the guy you could turn to and ask difficult questions.
"He's fantastic to have in the squad and back in for the one-day series."
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