Published>Wed, May 12 10 11:07 PM
England captain Paul Collingwood expects key batsman Kevin Pietersen to return raring to go in the Twenty20 World Cup semi-final after his marathon round-trip to England to attend the birth of his son.
Pietersen is due to join up with his team-mates on Wednesday afternoon local time ahead of Thursday's clash with Sri Lanka at the Beausejour Stadium after an 8,000-mile round-trip.
Skipper Collingwood said he was relieved that the volcanic ash from Iceland did not disrupt Pietersen's travel plans and was sure that the South-African born batsman would be fit and would play.
"Absolutely, 100 percent. Thankfully the ashes stayed away, he is due in this afternoon so I am sure he'll be a happy man and raring to go," Collingwood told a news conference.
"I don't think with (the time difference) being five hours ahead it should be an issue with tiredness and fatigue, as soon as he touches down.. he's pretty much 100 percent playing tomorrow," added the England captain.
Pietersen was in electric form in Barbados before jetting off on Sunday to be with his pop star wife Jessica.
He struck a magnificent 73 not out against Pakistan at Bridgetown and then followed it up with a crucial 53 against South Africa.
"He put two man-of-the-match performances in before he left. He'll be in a good frame of mind and he's great to have in the side.
"The way he's playing at the moment, getting a player back like that is a great confidence boost for all of us.
"In this form of the game especially, your frame of mind is the crucial thing and he's going to be in a great frame of mind.
"He's just had a baby boy; he'll be a happy man; he's had a little bit of a break, and it might do him the world of good just to come straight back into it.
"There's nothing technical he has to change. It's just his mind-set, and I'm sure his mind is 100 percent right," he added.
Even without Pietersen and with a place in the last four already in the bag, England still beat New Zealand on Monday, a win which Collingwood said was important to keep the positive vibe around the team alive.
"It was crucial to go out and win against New Zealand especially, once we had made the semis, and put in another strong performance. All the guys are really focused on the roles they have to play.
"One of the main things is that everyone is really enjoying it and when you are enjoying your cricket then its amazing how much better you perform," he said.
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