Kevin Pietersen to consider International return with South Africa

Arun S Kaimal
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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."  

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