Pietersen"s text messages with Proteas team went on longer than first thought

London, Aug 17: Disgruntled England batsman Kevin Pietersen''s text conversations with the South African team went on longer than first thought, according to reports.

His closeness with the South Africans is not a surprise, given his friendship with several players, but when skipper Andrew Strauss and the England management meet Pietersen next week, they will want to know if widespread reports that he sent uncomplimentary texts to the opposition during the first Test are true.

It had been thought the incriminating texts, which led to Pietersen being dropped for the Lord''s Test, had been sent during the match at Headingley last week.

But sources have indicated the contact stretches further back, The Telegraph reports.

Pietersen will have to come clean about the content of the texts before Strauss is willing to select him in the Test side again.

The International Cricket Council have put back the deadline for announcing the final 15-man squad for the World Twenty20 from tomorrow to next Friday, although it looks unlikely to improve Pietersen''s chances of playing in the tournament.

The delay was agreed at the request of several countries, including England, who did not want the distraction of naming the squad during this Test match.

Instead England plan to announce their squad on Tuesday, leaving no time for talks to be held with Pietersen about a return.

The Professional Cricketers'' Association will play a role in brokering talks between Pietersen and England, The Telegraph reports.