Root has no cause to be concerned for his place on England’s winter tour – Moxon

The 32-year-old’s return to the England fold was confirmed yesterday following a fractious summer after he signed a central contract, initially for four months.

Pietersen will go through a ‘reintegration process’ with England team director Andy Flower, team-mates and ECB colleagues before being considered for selection again.

But he has already expressed hope that he could return to the team as soon as the four-Test series in India starts next month – with England jetting off for a pre-tour training camp on October 25 – which could potentially have a knock-on effect for Yorkshire opener Root.

Any addition of Pietersen would theoretically provide top-order insurance and free up either one of the experienced duo of Jonathan Trott or Ian Bell to move up the order and open in the unforgiving test arena that is India.

But with England selectors having designs to bed in a long-term successor to Andrew Strauss ahead of back-to-back Ashes series in 2012-13, the smart money remains that the Cricket Writer’s Club Young Cricketer of the Year Root and reigning County Championship player of the year Nick Compton will battle it out for the vacant opening slot alongside captain Alistair Cook, regardless of the fresh developments with Pietersen.

Yorkshire director of professional cricket Moxon said: “I think Joe has been picked with an eye to primarily opening the innings and I would have thought the Pietersen news would not affect him or his role at all.

“I do not think there will be any implications for Joe.

“But whatever happens, it will be a great experience for Joe.

“He will be there, playing around top players and also watching the Indian players, who have got some great players as well.

“He will benefit from the tour and experience, whatever happens.

“It will be fantastic for him; he does not have to worry too much. He just needs to play his natural game and then see what happens.

“Even if he does not play much, he will still learn a lot. It is a win-win, really.”

Meanwhile, Moxon is confident Liam Plunkett can resurrect his career with Yorkshire – and England – after being handed a lifeline by the White Rose county.

The Middlesbrough-born seamer’s move to Headingley was completed earlier this week, following hot-on-the-heels of the capture of fellow paceman Jack Brooks with Moxon confirming that the Tykes will not be recruiting any more players for the 2013 season.

While for some, the signing of Plunkett, 27, who played just one match in the County Championship last season for Durham after falling spectacularly off the radar due to form and fitness problems – allied to off-the-field issues – on a three-year deal represents a gamble, Moxon certainly doesn’t see it that way.

Moxon, head coach at Durham when Plunkett made his debut both for county and country, added: “Liam did not play much last season for Durham, obviously and I think he just felt he probably needed a move to resurrect his career.

“We were looking to strengthen our seam-bowling resources and I think he is an excellent acquisition for us.

“He is just a good all-round cricketer and it is a fantastic signing for us.

“We are confident we can get his career going again and that Liam will get back to the form he showed when he was selected for England. I am sure he can.”

Moxon says that Yorkshire are continuing to talk to out-of-contract batsman Anthony McGrath, with nothing yet resolved regarding the stalwart’s future.