FILE - England's Kevin Pietersen walks off the field after his wicket fell on the third day of their Ashes cricket Test match in Sydney, Australia, in this file photo dated Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014. Pietersen's England career appears to be over, it is announced Tuesday Feb. 4, 2013, after the brash batsman was not selected for the upcoming tour of West Indies. Pietersen has attracted controversy during his playing career and accused of being a divisive influence within the England team, but he went on to play 104 Test matches, 136 one-day games and 37 Twenty20 fixtures for England. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)Rob Griffith/Associated Press

Eoin Morgan Ends Rumours of Kevin Pietersen England Return Before World Cup

Nick AkermanJan 15, 2015

England ODI captain Eoin Morgan has confirmed Kevin Pietersen will not return to the Three Lions' squad ahead of the 2015 World Cup.

Morgan replaced Alastair Cook as England's leader in December, and he moved to quash rumours suggesting the controversial Pietersen will return under his reign, as reported by Agence France-Presse (h/t Yahoo Cricket):

"
I'm very happy with the group of players I have, I think this is the best group of players we have to drive the England team forward over the next two months in particular. Kevin's situation hasn't changed over the last year. It's been reiterated over months and days.
It was reiterated before Christmas by the chairman of selectors and I'm reiterating it again just to clear it up. Thank you.
"

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 15: England captain Eoin Morgan waits to bat during a nets session at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 15, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

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Pietersen was sacked in February 2014 following England's 5-0 Ashes defeat to Australia. The ECB suggested this decision was taken to "create a culture" in which former captain Cook had the "full support of all players," reported by BBC Sport.

While Cook lasted just a further 10 months, Pietersen created another stir with the release of his tell-all autobiography.

"I know that the current captain would love to have me in the England team," he recently said, per BBC Sport. Morgan's comments suggest it isn't the plan to call him back anytime soon, though.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 05: Kevin Pietersen of the Stars plays a shot during the Big Bash League match between the Melbourne Stars and the Sydney Sixers at Melbourne Cricket Ground on January 5, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Prez

Robert Prezioso/Getty Images

England take on Australia in the opening match of their tri-series in Sydney on Friday. This competition also involves India.

Despite Pietersen averaging a handy 39 for Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash, per BBC Sport, he remains overlooked.

Morgan may be tempted to include the South African-born star in the future, but right now, he seems keen to begin his England captaincy without creating headlines.