Australia captain Michael Clarke has admitted that he would be relieved if Kevin Pietersen is still out of the England fold by this summer's Ashes.
Pietersen has not played international cricket since being axed in the aftermath of England's 5-0 whitewash in the last series against the old enemy, but has rejoined former county Surrey in the hope of earning a recall.
The 34-year-old batsman racked up 170 against Oxford MCCU on his return to first-class cricket last week and Clarke believes that Pietersen, who has scored 8,181 runs at an average of 47.28 in 104 Tests, has the pedigree to warrant Ashes consideration.
"I do think he could be at The Ashes," Clarke told reporters after being confirmed as Pietersen's Melbourne Stars captain for the next Big Bash tournament. "He has certainly scored enough runs.
"He has made it very clear he wants to play and now it will come down to the England selectors and England board making a decision.
"But at the moment from the Australians' perspective, I'm happy if he is not playing because he is a wonderful player."
Incoming England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Colin Graves opened the door for Pietersen's comeback should he 'score a lot of runs' in county cricket and Paul Downton, who oversaw his sacking, has since left his role as managing director.
