Wright aims to compensate for Pietersen exit
BATSMAN Luke Wright has vowed to use this month’s tour to the West Indies to revive his England fortunes and prove he is a worthy replacement for the axed Kevin Pietersen.
England play their first tour match of the trip this morning against a University of West Indies Vice-Chancellor’s XI, with a swathe of fringe players aiming to impress coach Ashley Giles.
Worcestershire all-rounder Moeen Ali, Lancashire spinner Stephen Parry and Nottingham-shire left-arm paceman Harry Gurney are the newcomers in an inexperienced squad also missing rested captain Alastair Cook.
Wright failed to carry his promising form from Australia’s Big Bash into the Twenty20 matches that followed England’s winter Ashes whitewash, which proved the last act of Pietersen’s turbulent Test career.
The Sussex 28-year-old is determined to make amends in three one-day games and three Twenty20s in the Caribbean and ensure that talk of missing Pietersen is quickly forgotten.
“It’s time for us to move on and stake our own claim. There are places up for grabs, and this trip is a great opportunity for a lot of us,” he said. “We knew we weren’t good enough in Australia in all the different formats, and I knew in the Twenty20 period I didn’t come in and do well enough. It’s time to step up now.”
Only two of Wright’s 48 one-day caps have come since the 2011 World Cup, and the 28-year-old is hoping this week’s first match against West Indies is the start of a revival in his 50-over fortunes.
“I certainly want to get into the one-day side. I’m desperate to push for that, with a World Cup coming up next year,” he added. “I’ve just got to score big runs, get the nod first. It’s going to be tough to break in, but you’re only going to do that from performing well here.”