ENGLAND today bade farewell to one matchwinning batsman and welcomed another after the International Cricket Council approved Eoin Morgan's return to the World Cup squad in place of Kevin Pietersen.

Pietersen, who had been building a new opening partnership with captain Andrew Strauss at the tournament, did not join his team-mates on the journey from Chennai to Chittagong after it was decided he needed to undergo surgery on a troublesome hernia complaint.

Pietersen has been struggling with the problem for some time but the England hierarchy felt he could play a major part in the competition if it was managed by the medical team.

Those hopes have not been realised and, after bowling eight overs of spin in the dramatic win over his native South Africa, Pietersen appeared to labour in the field, leading to a re-evaluation of his condition.

England then asked for permission to draft Morgan back into the side, having previously replaced the Irishman with Ravi Bopara due to a broken finger.