Pietersen rested with bigger challenges on horizon

After his duck in the final NatWest Series match at Lord's on Saturday, Pietersen has gone 16 one-day internationals without a 50 – and averages barely 18 in 11 innings since his comeback from Achilles surgery last autumn.

Yet England's selectors judged a break from the firing line, rather than taking up an opportunity to score overdue runs against one of world cricket's developing nations in three matches this week and next, would be best for the No 3 batsman and new father.

"We would have rested him (anyway)," national selector Geoff Miller said.

Despite Pietersen's run without a significant score – remarkably, for a batsman of his stature, stretching back to late 2008 – Miller has little doubt the man named man of the tournament in England's successful ICC World Twenty20 campaign simply must end his drought soon.

"We know what his qualities are," he said.

"Everybody is concerned when a batter is not getting runs, similarly when a bowler is not getting wickets or not bowling well.

"But we know very well he is very capable of getting big runs, and they will be just round the corner."

England have also chosen to rest Graeme Swann, selecting his fellow off-spinner James Tredwell instead among a 13-man squad in which Jonathan Trott is Pietersen's replacement.

There is no place for pace bowler Ryan Sidebottom, who could not break into a team unchanged throughout the 3-2 victory over Australia – despite defeats in the final two matches.

Miller reports Pietersen's injury is not thought to be a serious one, explaining England are not willing to take undue risks on a player still averaging more than 40 in ODIs and almost 50 in Tests – with a hectic schedule about to start, leading up to next winter's Ashes and then the World Cup.

"The situation is he has a niggle, which we are very wary about," he said.

"I think it is a minor injury. But we are obviously wary, because there is a lot of cricket coming up over the rest of the summer and the winter as well.

"I am sure he will be all right (for the forthcoming npower Test series against Pakistan) but can't say that categorically at this stage. I think it is a slight one as opposed to a major one.

"We are just being cautious. I think he will be all right in the very near future."

Pietersen's absence means Ian Bell, back in the ODI fold after also being chosen in the squad against Australia, and Trott may have a golden opportunity to restate their 50-over claims.

Tredwell's return comes against a team featuring a clutch of left-handers, so he may well get his chance either as a second spinner or even in preference to left-armer Mike Yardy. As for Swann, an ever-present in all formats for so long, it appears the decision to take a rest now was mutual – although he will be made available for Championship action with Notts to help his preparation to face Pakistan.

Yorkshire's Ajmal Shahzad is the extra seamer to benefit from Sidebottom's omission and his county-mate Tim Bresnan is also in the squad.

England: AJ Strauss (captain, Middlesex), JM Anderson (Lancashire), IR Bell (Warwickshire), TT Bresnan (Yorkshire), SCJ Broad (Nottinghamshire), PD Collingwood (Durham), C Kieswetter ( wkt, Somerset), EJG Morgan (Middlesex), A Shahzad (Yorkshire), JC Tredwell (Kent), IJL Trott (Warwickshire), LJ Wright (Sussex), MH Yardy (Sussex).