England wicketkeeper Matt Prior has revealed how his own personal intervention helped bring Kevin Pietersen back into the fold before the 2-1 Test series victory over India at the end of last year.
Pietersen had been exiled from the England team after allegations about text messages he had sent to members of the South Africa squad and his international career looked over, but after he reached an agreement with the ECB to return the batsman went on to play a key role in England's series victory.
Most of those talks were held with the ECB hierarchy, but Prior took matters into his own hands in the background.
The Sussex player told The Cricketer magazine he called Pietersen from a train to try to solve the problem.
"I like everything out in the open," Prior said. "Kev was obviously not happy with what was going on from an ECB point of view, which had nothing to do with us as players [and] was Kev's own battle.
"But when I heard he wasn't happy in the team, then it suddenly became a players' issue.
"We all thought it was fine and rosy and obviously it wasn't. It was a refreshing, honest conversation. I think he respected me for making the phone call."
Once Pietersen did return, there were questions as to whether he would prove a disruptive influence in the dressing room, but Prior believes he helped make the batsmen feel wanted, easing his transition.
"Kev said the things he needed to say to a few people, and they said the things that they needed to say to him," Prior said.
"Ultimately you've got to then grow up and...get on with it."
PA
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