Kevin Pietersen has said that injuries will help England perform better. Bowlers Graeme Swann (back), Stuart Broad (stomach), and Tim Bresnan (calf) have all had time out with problems.

Broad is back with England in Australia while Swann and Bresnan, who should be fit to join the 15-man squad for next month’s World Cup, are at home.

“The niggles have allowed a few of the bigger players to go home and recharge batteries,” Pietersen told BBC Sport.

Australian paceman Shaun Tait has agreed to join Surrey on a new deal. The 27-year-old will join up with Surrey shortly before their first group match against Gloucestershire on Thursday, 2 June.

Tait is widely regarded as the fastest bowler in the world and is currently featuring for Australia in the Twenty20 and one-day series against England.

He has also been included in their provisional ICC World Cup squad.