Cricket

ICC WT20: Muralitharan & Pietersen Returning Home

Sri Lanka off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and England batsman Kevin Pietersen are to return home from the ICC World Twenty20, although Pietersen could yet feature if England reach the semi-finals.

Muralitharan has suffered a recurrence of the groin injury which was initially thought to have ruled him out of Sri Lanka's campaign, aggravated during his comeback match against the West Indies.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that left-arm fast bowling all-rounder Thilan Thushara will replace Muralitharan in Sri Lanka's squad for the rest of the tournament.

Fresh from hitting back-to-back half-centuries to guide England to wins over Pakistan and South Africa, Pietersen is to fly home to be with his wife as she prepares to give birth to the couple's first child

"England batsman Kevin Pietersen is to return home to the UK in the next 24 hours to be with his pregnant wife for the birth of their first child," an England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) statement revealed.

"He is expected to return to the West Indies for England’s likely ICC World Twenty20 semi-final, the ECB has confirmed."

Pietersen also confirmed his plans during a TV interview at the conclusion of the game against South Africa, in which he was named the man-of-the-match for his 53 in 33 balls.

Ravi Bopara is expected to take Pietersen's place in the team for the game against New Zealand on Monday 10th May.