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Pietersen has no regrets over T20 pioneer role

Kevin Pietersen has insisted he was happy to have paved the way for current England stars to play in Twenty20 franchise cricket even if it helped curtail his own international career and saw him labelled the 'bad guy'.

Pietersen, one of the outstanding batsmen of his generation, has not played for England since being frozen out following the team's return from a 5-0 Ashes thrashing in Australia in 2014.
Having once held out some hope of a return to England duty, Pietersen has spent most of the intervening period playing in the growing number of Twenty20 franchises around the world, having been a early overseas star in the Indian Premier League.

Monday saw Pietersen announced as one of eight international marquee players for South Africa's T20 Global League that is due to start later this year. The England and Wales Cricket Board once had little time for events such as the IPL but has recently softened its stance, with the likes of all-rounder Ben Stokes named player of the tournament at this year's edition.

Officials are now even prepared to let players miss England games to take part in the IPL, something once unthinkable, with Pietersen's desire to play in the lucrative event leading to a major falling out with then England coach Andy Flower. Pietersen said he was proud of his pioneering role, for all the criticism that came his way at the time.
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