Eoin Morgan backs Pietersen to boost England in second T20 against Black Caps

Stand-in England captain Eoin Morgan has backed star batsman Kevin Pietersen to help achieve success for his team in the second Twenty20 international against New Zealand.

Two days after losing the ICC Champions Trophy final to India, England were back in action at the Oval on Tuesday in the first of two matches, falling five runs short of New Zealand's imposing total of 201 for four, Sport24 reports.

According to the report, Pietersen is expected to return to the England team for the first time since March, when he was forced out of the tour of New Zealand with a knee injury.

Stating that Pietersen is a crucial part of English cricket and has been for a long time, Morgan, captain in place of the rested Stuart Broad, said that Pietersen takes a lot of pride while batting, adding that as he looks to be in a good form, he hopes that the batsman will come and perform given that they have a very relaxed atmosphere in the team at the moment.

According to Morgan, there are a few players in the world who can perform like Pietersen, adding that the batsman can take the game away from the opponent at any stage.

The report further said that Pietersen's return would also give England a boost ahead of the Ashes series against Australia, starting at Trent Bridge on July 10.

He returned to the crease for Surrey on Sunday, hitting an unbeaten 177 against Yorkshire in the Country Championship, and is expected to be available for the second Twenty20 match on Thursday, also at the Oval, the report added.