Pietersen hopes England issues are 'sorted' and suggests comeback in New Zealand

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UPDATED:

08:43 GMT, 21 September 2012

Kevin Pietersen is hoping his differences with the England and Wales Cricket Board are 'sorted', and he will return in time to tour New Zealand early next year.

England's prodigal batsman has been at odds with his employers for much of the summer and was eventually dropped from the Test team at Lord's when his working relationship with coach Andy Flower and then captain

Andrew Strauss broke down over 'provocative' texts sent to opposing South African players at Headingley.

In exile: Kevin Pietersen has been banished from the England set-up

Pietersen is also playing no part in England's defence of the ICC World Twenty20, which gets under way in earnest when they face Afghanistan in their first Group A match.

Instead, he is fulfilling a lucrative contract as a television pundit for the tournament and staying on the outskirts of Colombo – from where he this morning tweeted his optimism that he may soon be returning to the fold.

In an exchange with New Zealand rugby union star Dan Carter, he wrote: 'Hoping all's sorted and I'm on the NZ tour in Feb.'

Strauss, meanwhile, has cleared the
air with Pietersen after relations between them were strained over the
reported content of the texts the latter sent to South African players.

'We did catch up. It was important we did,' Strauss told Sky Sports News. 'He and I have had interesting times over the last month or two, and it was great to sit down with him.

'He apologised for a few things he
had done. We've been through a lot together and had shared experiences.
We're fine going forward.'

Clearing the air: Andrew Strauss (second left) has no issue with Pietersen

Pietersen's remark comes a day after new Test captain Alastair Cook confirmed he has held meetings with the South Africa-born batsman, but issues remain to be resolved before he can resume his international career with his adopted country.

Cook replaced Strauss when the latter retired last month, and will travel to India for a tough four-Test tour there without Pietersen in his squad.

England's selectors felt unable to reintegrate the superstar batsman yet, and he was also left off the list of those with annual central contracts – meaning Pietersen will be a free agent once his current deal runs out at the end of this month.

Cook said: 'I did have a meeting with Kev and I've been involved with (other) meetings as well.

'Clearly
the issues haven't been resolved, and that's why he hasn't been made
available for selection at the moment. Time, I hope, will be a healer
and we will be able to move on.'

The
England and Wales Cricket Board had no comment to make in response to
Pietersen's tweet, and Cook refused to be drawn on what the issues are.

Meetings: England's new Test captain Alastair Cook has talked with Pietersen

'That is private, and I can't talk about it,' he said. 'For the best outcome possible we can't be talking about it. When the issue gets resolved – if the issue gets resolved – I hope he can come back and play for England.

'At the moment that can't happen. We're trying to do it behind closed doors to get the best possible outcome. It's a sad circumstance at the moment. He is a world-class player and he's not playing for England at this precise moment in time. He will be missed, but it gives another person an opportunity.

'Meetings are still going on in Sri Lanka at the moment. (ECB chief executive) David Collier and (managing director) Hugh Morris are out there as well.

'If the issues can be resolved, Kevin has said he is available for selection – but at the moment that can't happen.'