ECB cut short KP’s international career
6 Feb 2014 6:47 AM IST
Pietersen and the England and Wales Cricket Board issued a joint statement to announce that the former England captain would not be a part of the team for the upcoming tour of the West Indies and the subsequent World Twenty20 Championships in Bangladesh.
The joint statement was indicative of a mutual understanding between Pietersen and the ECB on his career after the 0-5 Ashes thrashing Down Under. The 33-year-old swashbuckler, who played 104 Tests and 136 ODIs, is set to end as England’s highest run-scorer in all formats of the game after a career spanning nine years.
‘Playing cricket for my country has been an honour. Although I am obviously very sad the incredible journey has come to an end, I’m also hugely proud of what we, as a team, have achieved over the past nine years,’ Pietersen said.
‘I feel extremely fortunate to have played at a time of great success for England cricket alongside some of the best cricketers the country has ever produced. I want to thank everyone for their fantastic support and I wish the team the very best of success going forward. I believe I have a great deal still to give as a cricketer. I will continue to play but deeply regret that it won’t be for England,’ he added.
The dramatic announcement is being seen as an ECB move to forcefully end the controversial batsman’s career. It also comes within days of Andy Flower stepping down as chief coach after being asked to by the ECB. Newly-appointed ECB managing director Paul Downton said it was a ‘tough decision’ to drop Pietersen as part of a rebuilding process with the focus on next year’s World Cup.
Kevin Pietersen on KXIP radar
New Delhi: Kings XI Punjab on Wednesday said Kevin Pietersen’s surprise retirement has changed the dynamics of the upcoming IPL players’ auction as his availability for the full season now makes the swashbuckling English batsman the most sought after player.Pietersen’s international career Wednesday came to an abrupt end after he was left out of the country’s upcoming tour of the West Indies and the subsequent World Twenty20 Championships in Bangladesh. ‘Kevin Pietersen is such an awesome player that every franchise would like to have him in the team. A lot of teams would be looking for him and we are one of them. ‘The availability of English players for the whole duration of the IPL has always been a problem for most of the franchises. They have international commitments to fulfill. Pietersen’s retirement changes the dynamics of auction. Now he will be available for full season. We are looking for a well-balanced team this season of the IPL,’ said Anant Sarkaria, head of KXIP cricket operations. IPL franchises have always been reluctant to select England players, knowing that they will not be available for the whole tournament. Pietersen’s sensational announcement to bring the curtains down on his illustrious nine-year-long career is likely to attract eye-catching offers from IPL franchises because of his popularity and his status as one of the world’s most exciting Twenty20 batsmen. Pietersen is among 10 England players who have put their names down for IPL auction, seeking a new franchise. He was not retained by Delhi Daredevils for the seventh edition of the league after DD opted not to retain any of their players from last season.
The joint statement was indicative of a mutual understanding between Pietersen and the ECB on his career after the 0-5 Ashes thrashing Down Under. The 33-year-old swashbuckler, who played 104 Tests and 136 ODIs, is set to end as England’s highest run-scorer in all formats of the game after a career spanning nine years.
‘Playing cricket for my country has been an honour. Although I am obviously very sad the incredible journey has come to an end, I’m also hugely proud of what we, as a team, have achieved over the past nine years,’ Pietersen said.
‘I feel extremely fortunate to have played at a time of great success for England cricket alongside some of the best cricketers the country has ever produced. I want to thank everyone for their fantastic support and I wish the team the very best of success going forward. I believe I have a great deal still to give as a cricketer. I will continue to play but deeply regret that it won’t be for England,’ he added.
The dramatic announcement is being seen as an ECB move to forcefully end the controversial batsman’s career. It also comes within days of Andy Flower stepping down as chief coach after being asked to by the ECB. Newly-appointed ECB managing director Paul Downton said it was a ‘tough decision’ to drop Pietersen as part of a rebuilding process with the focus on next year’s World Cup.
Kevin Pietersen on KXIP radar
New Delhi: Kings XI Punjab on Wednesday said Kevin Pietersen’s surprise retirement has changed the dynamics of the upcoming IPL players’ auction as his availability for the full season now makes the swashbuckling English batsman the most sought after player.Pietersen’s international career Wednesday came to an abrupt end after he was left out of the country’s upcoming tour of the West Indies and the subsequent World Twenty20 Championships in Bangladesh. ‘Kevin Pietersen is such an awesome player that every franchise would like to have him in the team. A lot of teams would be looking for him and we are one of them. ‘The availability of English players for the whole duration of the IPL has always been a problem for most of the franchises. They have international commitments to fulfill. Pietersen’s retirement changes the dynamics of auction. Now he will be available for full season. We are looking for a well-balanced team this season of the IPL,’ said Anant Sarkaria, head of KXIP cricket operations. IPL franchises have always been reluctant to select England players, knowing that they will not be available for the whole tournament. Pietersen’s sensational announcement to bring the curtains down on his illustrious nine-year-long career is likely to attract eye-catching offers from IPL franchises because of his popularity and his status as one of the world’s most exciting Twenty20 batsmen. Pietersen is among 10 England players who have put their names down for IPL auction, seeking a new franchise. He was not retained by Delhi Daredevils for the seventh edition of the league after DD opted not to retain any of their players from last season.
Next Story
