Andrew Strauss Says Kevin Pietersen's Omission Helping England

England are benefiting from the decision to exclude Kevin Pietersen from selection, believes ECB cricket chief Andrew Strauss. (Kevin Pietersen Devastated After Andrew Strauss Rules out his Return)

Strauss had told Pietersen before the start of the New Zealand series in May that he would not be considered for an international recall. (Pietersen Not Part of England's Plans for the Summer)

"I think that clarity has helped," Strauss was quoted as saying by bbc.com. (Inflammatory Pietersen Comments Hard to Overlook: Strauss)

England won the Ashes series 3-2 but trail 2-0 in the One-Day International (ODI) series before Tuesday's third ODI at Old Trafford.

Pietersen, 35, was initially sacked after the 5-0 whitewash in the 2013-14 Ashes series.

But Strauss believes the team has "moved on".

"The danger at that time was that particular issue would overshadow everything that happened on the pitch over the course of the summer," the former skipper said.

"What I was trying to do was provide clarity going forward so everyone knew where they stood. I think the team has moved on and the team is in a pretty good place," Strauss said.

"Some of those young guys have established themselves and that's what we will be focusing on taking England forward," he added.

England called up wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow after deciding to rest Jos Buttler for the remaining three games of the ODI series.