Kevin Pietersen to consider International return with South Africa
Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen admitted on Sunday that he is “thinking” about the possibility of returning to International cricket by playing for South Africa. The 35-year old has not played an International match since he was sacked by England following the 2013-14 Ashes.
The right-hander, who scored 8,181 runs at an average of 47.28 in 104 Tests was discarded from the England cricket team after the whitewash they suffered against Australia in the 2013-14 Ashes. Pietersen has since become a T20 specialist playing all the T20 leagues in the World. Although he is happy with his current career, Pietersen is giving a serious thought about the possibility of representing South Africa, the country of his birth, when he becomes eligible in 2018.
"Yes, it is a thought in my head, If it happens, it happens; if it doesn't, it doesn't. Obviously, playing international is something I have done for a very long time. Do I miss playing international cricket? Do I miss batting in international cricket? Yes, I do very much, so you never know, " Pietersen was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
By the time, Pietersen becomes eligible for South Africa, he will be 37 years old, but the right-hander admitted that he is keeping the options of playing for England or South Africa open.
“The eligibility for South Africa is still (over) a year away. So we will have to wait and see but it (an English call-up) is definitely still an option.
“I am in a great frame of mind now. I enjoy myself and don’t take life too seriously. “I still train hard and love batting, I love practicing my batting, I love the art of batting. It may not guarantee me getting runs, but it gives me a good chance to get runs.
“I am very lucky that I have played international cricket for 10 years and over 100 Test matches, Pietersen said.
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Earlier this year, Pietersen was linked with a call-up for South Africa, but, Proteas T20 captain and Pietersen’s Rising Pune Supergiants teammate Faf du Plessis had dismmissed the suggestion, saying "KP is a player who's had a great career for England. But certainly, from a South African perspective... he's English."