LONDON — Kevin Pietersen's return to England duty saw him fail to take any part in a washed-out Twenty20 match at the Oval Thursday that gave New Zealand a 1-0 series win. Only two balls had been bowled, with England two for one, when rain stopped play after Michael Lumb was caught at second slip by New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum off left-arm quick Mitchell McClenaghan. The no-result, in what was the final match of its tour, gave New Zealand the two-match series 1-0 after its five-run win at the Oval Tuesday and followed their 2-1 one-day series success. However, England took the preceding Test series 2-0. England begins the defense of the Ashes against Australia with the first Test at Trent Bridge on July 10. Watson relishes Ashes opening role Shane Watson is fired up by the prospect of opening for Australia in the upcoming Ashes series. Australia's squad contains several openers but new coach Darren Lehmann has said he wants Watson at the top of the order. Watson did his best to play himself into some sort of form with a rapid 90, off just 94 balls and including 20 fours, on the second day of Australia's tour match against Somerset at Taunton Thursday as the visitors closed on 266 for four in reply to the west country county's 320. — Agencies
