LONDON, Aug 3: England batsman Kevin Pietersen has been given a vote of confidence by the England selectors with the award of a central contract until the end of the Ashes series, the ECB said on Wednesday.

Selectors recommended the ECB award the 25-year-old South African born right-hander the contract following his impressive Test debut against Australia in the first Test at Lord’s where he top-scored for England with 57 and 64 not out.

“Following an outstanding ODI tour of South Africa and impressive performances in the one-day international programme, Kevin forced his way into the Test side and he fully deserves being upgraded to central contract status,” said chairman of selectors David Graveney.

Pietersen becomes the 13th England player on a central contract after an initial group of players were awarded 12-month contracts on Oct 1 last year.—Reuters