England first priority – Kevin Pietersen

The star batsman of England, Kevin Pietersen, took a u turn by preferring to represent his country in all three formats of the game over all other commitments.

There have been a lot of speculations about his future, retirement from Test cricket and his confrontation in the dressing room. Earlier, he called it a day in May, 2012, as far as the limited overs international cricket was concerned and opted to concentrate on the longer version of the game. Later on he showed his willingness to play for England in the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup, 2012, but his name was omitted by the English selectors in the preliminary list.

Kevin Pietersen - Available for England in all three formats of the game
Kevin Pietersen – Available for England in all three formats of the game

Pietersen is an attacking player and represented Delhi Daredevils in the recently concluded Indian Premier League, 2012. He took part in eight matches and smashed 305 runs at an awesome average of 61.00, the best of unbeaten 103 with one fifty. The IPL is a huge source of earning for all participating domestic and international players and Pietersen joined the IPL 2012, with Delhi Daredevils for approximately $2million.

He had shown his eagerness to play a full next season of IPL but reversed his decision by showing his availability for England and said,

“I am absolutely not insisting on playing the full IPL season. I am taking that all back. I will not be playing the full IPL. I will come back and play in the Tests against New Zealand next year.”

England is currently involved in an important Test series against the visiting South Africa and the no.1 position of the home team is in jeopardy. They lost the first Test against the visitors on July 23, 2012, at Kennington Oval, London by a big margin of an innings and 12 runs. The second Test was played at Headingly, Leeds, on August 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, 2012 and the Proteas amassed 419 runs in the first innings. The home side was under a bit of pressure once again after losing their openers for 85 runs when the tourists looked like taking command of the game. Kevin Pietersen took over and played a magnificent knock of 149 runs as England finished their innings by giving a solid reply of 425. He performed well in the second innings of South Africa by grabbing his career best 3 wickets for 52 runs as the match ended in a draw.

The 32-year-old has played 88 Tests, plundered 7076 runs averaging 49.48, the best of 227 with 21 hundreds and 27 fifties. He has taken part in 127 One Day Internationals, scored 4184 runs at an average of 41.84, the best of 130 with 9 centuries and 23 fifties.

Pietersen was a prominent member of the England squad which won the ICC World Twenty20, 2010. He was the second highest run getter in the tournament by amassing 248 runs in 6 matches at a super average of 62.00, the best of unbeaten 73 with two fifties and was declared ‘Player of the series’.

Kevin Pietersen has sorted out the differences in the dressing room, apologised for his undue attitude and made himself available for England in all three versions of the game. He further commented,

“I am fully committed and passionate about playing for England. I want to play for England. That is why I want to get back playing in all three formats of the game for England. I love doing what I do and I don’t want to disappoint people. I’ve had a change of heart because of the reasons I stated. I love playing cricket for England.”

England selectors have delayed the announcement of its team due to take part in the deciding third Test vs. South Africa commencing August 16, 2012, at Lord’s, London. Kevin Pietersen will definitely be included in the side and his availability in all formats of the game will provide a huge boost for England in the Twenty20 World Cup, 2012, which will start from September 12, 2012, in Sri Lanka.


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