Broad would welcome back KP

England pace bowler Stuart Broad insists he would share a beer with Kevin Pietersen and he would be welcomed back into the England dressing room.

Pietersen was dropped from the England squad in all forms of the game when it was revealed he had sent derogatory text messages about Andrew Strauss and Andy Flower to South Africa players.

That meant the 32-year-old missed the remainder of the South Africa series as well as the T20 World Cup in
Sri Lanka.

He was also left out of the squad for the winter tour of India, with his international future at real risk. Most England v India betting Tips thought England would struggle even with KP in the side, so if he was absent, things would be even worse.

However, following extensive talks with the ECB, Flower and former skipper Strauss, it appears a resolution had been found.

He has been offered a four-month central contract and after another round of talks with England players – including more public apologies – he should be allowed back into the England fold. Certainly most online cricket betting previews are confident Pietersen will be playing against India in the autumn.

It remains to be seen how the rest of the players will react to Pietersen return. The test message saga was, for some, the final straw given the player’s egotistical behaviour.

When asked by reporters about the issue Broad played down talk of a rift and insists Pietersen will be welcomed back.

"I'd have no problems playing with him or having a beer with him. It's not an issue," Broad told reporters .

"Once the England management has decided when he's available to return, he'll be welcomed back into the changing room.

"We know he's a great cricketer, he's won a lot of trophies and has been a really good team-mate for England, certainly ever since I've been playing for them. We know that when KP's focused on playing for England and he's happy, he's a really dangerous player."