KEVIN PIETERSEN has dealt England cricket its latest blow – by delivering a big hint over his retirement plans.
Former England batsman Pietersen revealed in a tweet that the current Big Bash tournament would be his last.
Pietersen, 38 this year, said last year’s T20 Blast would be his last cricket in England and he has now confirmed he will not be playing in Australia again once the current Big Bash ends.
Now a T20 specialist following the breakdown of his England career, the South Africa-born power-hitter says he cannot improve any more and as such is close to calling time.
“Confirming that this is my last BBL as a player!” Pietersen, who has played for the Melbourne Stars for the last four seasons, wrote on Twitter.
“By the time BBL starts later this year I cannot see myself wanting to improve or try & get better. That means it’s time to finish! I’ll enjoy playing my last few games at the Adelaide Oval, SCG & MCG!”
Latest cricket news
Pietersen still has commitments to come in 2018 and the Pakistan and South African T20 competitions, but it may well be that he will not play into 2019.
If it is the end, it will bring to a close a colourful, controversial but successful career which saw him plunder 32 hundreds for England, 23 of which came in Tests where he scored 8,181 runs in 104 outings.
Pietersen last played for England in early 2014, before all the fallout and subsequent bickering regarding his time in the side.
KP was part of the England side that lost the 2013-14 Ashes tour 5-0 Down Under, passing 50 only twice in ten innings.
Most read in sport
He represented England for nine years. He has been working as a pundit for BT Sports this series.
Captain Joe Root looks on the brink of a 4-0 defeat this time, however.
He suffered what could well turn out to be a broken finger thanks to a Mitchell Starc delivery that leaves the tourists 210 short of making Australia bat again on 93-4 after day four of the fifth Test.
Leave a comment