article_snippet: There was, understandably, little engagement in the Pietersen topic from former team-mate Joe Root who has more pressing issues to confront in Australia and New Zealand as England try to stay in the World Cup after three defeats in four matches.
article_snippet: Root is tipped by many as a future England captain, however, and opinions such as Root could yet be pivotal to Pietersen's chances of a recall.
article_snippet: Root made it clear Pietersen is hardly uppermost in Root mind at present, but also that Root has a good working relationship with the South Africa-born batsman.
article_snippet: We're in the middle of the World Cup, and there's plenty of other stuff We need to be focusing on,' said Root. '
article_snippet: Root doesn't really enter that.
article_snippet: I've not spoken to Root for a while, but Root seems to be doing okay.'