Sydney, Jan 15 (IANS): England's new One-Day International (ODI) captain Eoin Morgan Thursday reiterated that there was no way back for controversial batsman Kevin Pietersen and insisted that he has "the best group of players" with him in Australia.

Pietersen had claimed that Morgan wanted him back in the England side when he spoke to former Australian captain Ricky Ponting during a Big Bash.

"I think this is a good opportunity to clear things up given that Kevin has had a lot of opportunity to talk in the media and get his view out there," Morgan was quoted as saying by dailymail.co.uk.

"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," said the Irish-born batsman, who took over from Alastair Cook in December.

"It was reiterated by the chairman of selectors before Christmas and I'm reiterating it again just to clear it up. Thank you."

Pietersen's international career came to an end last February as the English and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) sought to rebuild England's "team ethic".

England take on Australia in the first match of the tri-series, also involving India, here Friday.