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Eoin Morgan 'surprised' by Kevin Pietersen claim

One-day international: Australia v England Date: Friday 16 January. Time: 03:20 GMT. Venue: SCG, Sydney. Coverage: Live on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra with updates on the BBC Sport website

England one-day captain Eoin Morgan is "pretty surprised" by batsman Kevin Pietersen's claim that he wants him back in the side.

Pietersen's international career was ended last February as the ECB sought to rebuild England's "team ethic".

"I'm very happy with the squad of players I have," said Morgan, who took over from Alastair Cook in December.

"Kev's an absolute entertainer with the bat and off the field. I get on with him really well."

The 28-year-old insisted he and Pietersen could "separate business and pleasure".

Pietersen, 34, is playing for the Melbourne Stars in the Australian Big Bash Twenty20 and has averaged 39 across five innings.

While co-commentating on the tournament, he said: "I know the current captain would love to have me in the England team.

"I honestly believe I am batting as well as I have ever batted at the moment."

Morgan was Pietersen's captain in his last one-day international - a 49-run defeat to Australia in September 2013.

England face Australia on Friday as part of a warm-up tri-series before their World Cup opener on 14 February.