Some within the ECB may have developed an unhealthy preoccupation with the Ashes, but Kevin Pietersen, at least, recognises that cricketing life exists beyond the Australia challenge. England’s Test ranking fell from second to fifth last year and Pietersen knows that every match must be given due attention to arrest the decline.

There may be at least five Test series to contest before the 2009 Ashes, but that did not stop the ECB from launching the marketing campaign this month. The board is being consistent in its approach because victory against Australia is given greater priority than reaching the No 1 position in the ICC rankings. Giles Clarke, the ECB chairman, is prepared for key players to be rested in the 18 months before the first Test to ensure their fitness.

Pietersen, who fits into that category, believes that England have a more immediate priority against New Zealand. “The Ashes is not even something I am contemplating,” he said. “I will do that next year, but not before. There can be a danger of thinking about it because the Ashes are so big. We should not fall into that trap.

“Other sides have world-class players and we will be meeting some of them in the next two months.”

Pietersen knows that England owe it to supporters as much as critics to improve on performances in Sri Lanka before Christmas. “The number of people I have spoken to in the past month who are quite disappointed with English cricket and the way we played is huge,” he said.

Rain forced the one-day squad into indoor nets yesterday, but they still clocked up another 3½ hours of practice. Paul Collingwood, the captain, was able to bat properly after hurting his back on Tuesday and a scare when James Anderson jarred the little finger of his left hand during fielding drills was quickly resolved.

New Zealand have named the uncapped Jesse Ryder in the squad for the limited-overs matches, which begin with a Twenty20 international in Auckland on Tuesday. Ryder, 23, is a left-handed opening batsman and right-arm medium-pace bowler who has an English father.

Andrew Flintoff will fly to India on February 10 to train with the England Lions squad, which is competing in the Duleep Trophy, but the all-rounder will not play in any games as he continues his rehabilitation after an operation on his left ankle.

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