Kevin Pietersen insisted Friday he still wanted to play for England again as he urged the selectors to be “braver” with their choices for the national cricket side.
Pietersen was controversially axed by England following the team’s 5-0 Ashes series loss in Australia even though he is England’s all-time leading run-scorer.
South Africa-born Pietersen, a former England captain, hasn’t given up on an international recall although the present hierarchy, including Test skipper Alastair Cook, are adamantly opposed to his return.
Asked whether Cook was still the right man to lead England following their recent 1-0 loss to Sri Lanka in a home Test series, a guarded ex-England skipper Pietersen said: “That’s not for me to say.”
However, Pietersen — who will play for the Rest of the World side against MCC in the Lord’s bicentenary match on Saturday — said he would love to return to the ‘home of cricket’ to take part in a full international once again.
“I never give up, I’m only 34, I’m still young so hopefully one day I can play here in front of full houses but I just want to enjoy Saturday,” Pietersen told Sky Sports News.
“I’ve got the hunger for it and the body’s good so I want to go out there and do well,” added Pietersen, who has a superb Test record at Lord’s with five hundreds in 15 matches and a total tally of 1,235 runs at an average of 56.13.
Having seen England lose to Sri Lanka, their first Test series since he was sent into international exile, Pietersen called for greater boldness all round.
“The talent is there, there are some fantastic cricketers out there. England just need to be a little bit more brave, if you’re going to talk the talk you’d better walk the walk.”
Meanwhile Shane Warne said he expected Pietersen to seize a chance to shine on Saturday.
Warne, widely regarded as cricket’s greatest leg-spinner, will captain former Hampshire colleague Pietersen against an equally star-studded MCC team led by India hero Sachin Tendulkar.
Tendulkar, who only retired in November, said he hadn’t missed cricket too much.
“I have enjoyed my time with the family, I started practising 10 days ago and it is nice to be back in the gear and hitting a few balls — I’m still trying to find the centre of the bat,” said Tendulkar, cricket’s all-time leading Test and one-day international run-scorer.
felix
Guest
As I've said it regardless or what kind of person KP is,he is still the best batsman in England. The English are too rich,soft and proud to admit it.
Rumor
Guest
He must be horrible to play with, and rub all the snobs up the wrong way, because he is exactly what the English teams needs on field.
Dizzy Tangles
Guest
I have the feeling KP may be pulling the piss
twodogs
Guest
KP should always be a shoe in. He's streets ahead of the rest of the present lineup. Arrogant? Strong personality? Yep, for sure. They need it. Cook looks like a dead fish lately. He's bereft of ideas and form.
Axle an the guru
Guest
Sack Cook The Sook and put Pietersen back in there where he belongs. It is just hurting English cricket doing what the coach and captain are doing. Sri Lanka just showed them how gooder job they are doing.
Nudge
Guest
Phil tufnell has more of a chance to play for England again