Pietersen to replace banned Collingwood as England captain

Kevin Pietersen was named England's stand-in captain for the next four limited-overs internationals, following the ICC's decision to ban Paul Collingwood.

Collingwood was given a four-match ban by cricket's governing body for England's slow over rate during Wednesday's one-day defeat to New Zealand.

Pietersen will captain England in Saturday's series final against the Kiwis, as well as three matches in August -- a one-day international against Scotland, a Twenty20 international against South Africa and one ODI against South Africa.

Pietersen, who was born and raised in Pietermaritzburg near Durban but has an English mother, has had a fractious relationship with South Africa captain Graeme Smith.

In his book, Crossing the Boundary, the flamboyant batsman described Smith as "childish" after the latter criticized Pietersen's decision to represent England.