Pietersen set to play in Oval Test

LONDON, England -- Kevin Pietersen has given England a boost before the third Test against India at The Oval by declaring himself fit to play after an illness scare.

The Hampshire batsman missed Tuesday's practice having been laid low by a virus but was back in action on Wednesday and is expected to be named in the England starting XI for the must-win match.

England trail India 1-0 in the best-of-three match series after losing the second Test by seven wickets at Trent Bridge.

They are unbeaten at home since going down to Australia in the 2001, a defeat they avenged in the memorable Ashes series of 2005 where Pietersen made his debut and played a key role.

Pietersen has not missed a home Test since that series and it was with some relief that captain Michael Vaughan hinted that he would be available for selection on Thursday.

"He's had a net, he didn't take part in the run around and fielding drills but he'll be fine to go into tomorrow's game," confirmed Vaughan.

"I think it was just a virus he picked up on the golf course and he's on antibiotics and he feels fine so he should be okay.

"It's a big relief for the team because he's such an important player."

Pietersen averages over 50 from his 29 Test appearances and India will be hoping he can be nullified as they bid for their first series victory on English soil since 1986.

Leicestershire fast bowler Stuart Broad was also present at practice having missed Tuesday's session on county duty, but England are expected to name an unchanged side.

Meanwhile Vaughan has warned his team to keep ther behavior in check after a series of incidents at Trent Bridge.

"I've looked back at the last game and I do think there were a couple of areas where we got close to stepping over the line," Vaughan told reporters at The Oval on Wednesday.

"I don't want to see swearing on the pitch. I still want to see bowlers doing a little bit of gamesmanship, and chirping. But swearing, and an attack on a player, I think that's wrong."

In Pakistan, controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has been fined $5,000 for two breaches of the players' code of conduct.

Pakistan Cricket Board chief executive Shafqat Nagmi told a news conference on Wednesday that Akhtar had left a training camp in Karachi last Saturday without informing the team management.

The paceman, who failed a drugs test last year but was cleared to play by the Pakistan authorities, has been recalled to their squad for the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa. E-mail to a friend