Published: Jul 20, 2017, 08:29 AM (IST)
Edited: Jul 20, 2017, 08:29 AM (IST)
Kevin Pietersen was South Africa’s biggest loss and England’s massive gain. Frustrated with lack of opportunities in his home country South Africa, Pietersen, who started primarily as an off-spinner, eyed an England berth. Rest is history. He went on to be one of the greatest batsmen England has produced. However, disciplinary issues and a string of controversies saw him being shown the door andhis international career is as good as over. Is it? Pietersen on Wednesday said that he has not ruled out resurrecting his international career with his native South Africa, even though he will be nearing 40 by the time he qualifies. ALSO READ: Kevin Pietersen: Joe Root only man to take England forward
Pietersen, 37, will be eligible to play for South Africa in 2019. He was sacked from the England side post England’s 2013-14 Ashes drubbing in Australia.
“You are talking about in two years’ time. Would I? Who knows? We’ll have to wait and see where I am,” said Pietersen in a report from AFP after smashing a thrilling half-century to lead Surrey to a 10-run win over Essex in front of almost 24,000 fans at the Oval in the Twenty20 (T20) Blast in an explosive return to English cricket. “I’m going to be playing a lot of cricket in South Africa over the next two years, so we’ll see.”
The flamboyant right-hander further added, “I love batting: I will bat for as long as I love the art of batting. I do at the moment, but I’m an old man now, I’ve just hurt my calf, I didn’t field. Who knows where I’ll be in two years’ time? If I enjoy batting, we’ll see where I get to. I’m in a very happy place.”
Pietersen slammed four sixes in an over on his way to 52 off 35 balls in a Surrey total of 150 for nine on Wednesday. Pietersen was eventually out in the 16th over, three balls after reaching his 40th half-century in T20 cricket.
In reply, Essex were restricted to 140 for seven. Pietersen was playing his first English domestic match for nearly two years.
With inputs from AFP
