They’ll be teammates in the Big Bash League come summer but Michael Clarke thinks he might have to do battle with Kevin Pietersen for the Ashes before then.
Speaking at his unveiling as Melbourne Stars captain for the next two seasons, Clarke suggested his fellow 34-year-old could not only earn a stunning recall for England but cause his side difficulty during the five-Test series.
Pietersen hasn’t played first-class cricket since January 2014 in Sydney, where Australia completed a 5-0 whitewash of England during the last Ashes series.
But the South African-born batsman scored 170 runs last week against Oxford University and is eager to impress English selectors again.
The Australian Test skipper believes he’ll get there.
“I do think he could be at the Ashes,” Clarke said.
“His form, he’s showed that, he’s certainly scoring enough runs.
“He’s made it very clear he wants to play and now it will come down to the England selectors.
“At the moment, from the Australians’ perspective, I’m happy if he’s not playing because he’s a wonderful player.”
Australia, then skippered by Clarke, was put to the sword by a Pietersen-led England in the 2010 Twenty20 World Cup.
Pietersen swatted 47 off 31 in the final against Australia and was named player of the West Indies-hosted tournament.
Fast forward to next Australian summer and Clarke is happy he’ll be wearing the same green BBL uniform as him.
“It’s going to be nice to be on the same side,” he said.
“He’s a wonderful player and has been great for the Melbourne Stars.
“To have that luxury as captain to have a player like that in your team is extremely exciting and I know he’ll play a big part is us having success.”
Clarke said he had no thought about a return to the Indian Premier League, where he last played T20 cricket in 2012.
The first Ashes Test begins on July 8 in Cardiff.
Slim
Guest
If KP gets a recall, Bell has No. 4 sewn up, so he comes in @ No. 5 England's No.1 prospect in Joseph Root operates there. Root would have to push up the order to opener. Now, Cook has a mortgage on one spot, Lyth and Trott have legitimate claims on the other, although Root would push them both out (pardon the pun). Balance has a mortage on 3 and Ali, who also bowls will be at 6. Cook,Root, Ballance, Bell, Pieterson & Ali. But, if Ali bats at five, an allrounder quick at 6 would help ease the burden on their frontline quicks, more flexible lineup. So, does KP really get in? Do they want Root to open?
CW
Guest
KP remains on the outer. Not likely England will bring him back. At least there have not been any overtures along those lines from the ECB. A few more county tons and that nay change. But has not KP's problems stemmed from off field issues as opposed to his on field deeds. I would suggest England need his experience against a rampant Aussie side buoyed by the 5-0 whitewash 18 months ago. While the ECB is about it. They should also rethink their current policy of four quicks, two of which are only change bowlers of domestic quality imo. Had they picked a couple of specialists I feel the West Indies would not have got out of jail in the just completed test.