Kevin Pietersen eyes international cricket return with South Africa | Cricket - Hindustan Times
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Kevin Pietersen eyes international cricket return with South Africa

London | ByAFP
Jul 20, 2017 12:12 PM IST

Kevin Pietersen was sacked from the England cricket team in the aftermath of the 2013-14 Ashes defeat in Australia.

Kevin Pietersen has said that he has not ruled out resurrecting his international career with his native South Africa even though he’ll be pushing 40 when he requalifies.

Yuvraj Singh of the Sunrisers Hyderabad with TV commentator Kevin Pietersen during the 2017 Indian Premier League at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. Pietersen wants to play for South Africa(BCCI)
Yuvraj Singh of the Sunrisers Hyderabad with TV commentator Kevin Pietersen during the 2017 Indian Premier League at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. Pietersen wants to play for South Africa(BCCI)

The 37-year-old batsman will become eligible to play for the Proteas in 2019 having not been selected for England after being sacked in the aftermath of the 2013-14 Ashes defeat in Australia.

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“You are talking about in two years’ time. Would I? Who knows? We’ll have to wait and see where I am,” said Kevin Pietersen on Wednesday 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 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. 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.”

Kevin Pietersen hit four sixes in an over on his way to 52 off 35 balls in a Surrey total of 150 for nine. In reply, Essex were restricted to 140 for seven.

Pietersen, who suffered a calf injury which prevented him from fielding, was playing his first English domestic match for nearly two years.

He had a lucky escape in the 10th over when he was dropped by Dan Lawrence off Ashar Zaidi and added 43 with Dominic Sibley. Kevin Pietersen was eventually out in the 16th over, three balls after reaching his 40th half-century in T20 cricket.

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