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Kevin Pietersen: Former batsman not part of Englands plans

18th March 2015

Kevin Pietersen is "not part" of Englands plans despite the batsmans efforts to earn a recall, according to national selector James Whitaker. Pietersen, 34, told BBC Test Match Special he will "do anything" to regain his place in the England side and plans to play county cricket this summer. But, only hours later, Whitaker said England have moved on since the batsman was sacked in February 2014. "We havent had discussions at all about Kevin," he told the BBC. Pietersen has been encouraged by comments from incoming England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chairman Colin Graves, who has said the player could return for England if he scored heavily in domestic cricket. But Whitaker appeared to distance himself from Graves as he talked up the calibre of the current Test side. "I know Colin very well, he is entitled to his opinion, but Kevin isnt part of our plans," said Whitaker, after naming Englands 16-man squad to tour West Indies in April and May. "Weve been developing our team for a year in Test match cricket. Weve had some good conversations about what happened after the end of Australia. "Weve produced some good middle-order players with Gary Ballance, Joe Root and Ian Bell continuing to perform well, so we are happy with where we are in the middle order." Earlier in the day, in his capacity as a Test Match Special pundit, Pietersen had confirmed his desire to play county cricket this summer in a bid to win his place back. "I would love to get county runs," Pietersen told BBC Test Match Special. "If I can do anything that can help me get back into it for England then its something I want to do. I love playing for England." Pietersen has agreed to play for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL), which starts on 8 April, and that contract would have to be cancelled if he wanted to play the English domestic season. Sunrisers coach Tom Moody has approved his release, a decision which is expected to be finalised by the IPL by Wednesday. Six counties have said they are keen on signing South African-born Pietersen, who has played only limited-overs cricket since being discarded by England. Pietersen, who has scored 8,181 runs in 104 Tests for England, released an autobiography in October in which he criticised England players and senior ECB figures. He has not played domestic first-class cricket since June 2013 and during 2014 played in the IPL for Delhi Daredevils, Twenty20 cricket for Surrey and for St Lucia Zouks in the Caribbean Premier League. He also represented Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash at the start of 2015, scoring 293 runs in eight innings at an average of 41.86. "Theres a few things that need tinkering with, but I do want to make the right decision," added Pietersen. "I would have loved to have had it done sooner. I dont know how its going to happen; I just have to wait and see." Pietersen has said he "absolutely" could work again with current England coach Peter Moores, despite the "irretrievable breakdown" of their relationship in 2009 which led to Pietersen quitting after three games as captain. But former England captain Michael Vaughan said this week that Pietersen has "no more than a 10% chance" of playing for England again. Sri Lanka batsman Kumar Sangakkara, Surreys overseas player this season, told Sky Sports: "He will be fantastic anywhere he plays. Hes just a magnificent player. "Im sure hes looking forward to knocking on that England door and hopefully getting in." The County Championship begins on 12 April, with England playing New Zealand in two Tests in May before a five-Test Ashes series against Australia. The first Test begins on 8 July. source: www.bbc.co.uk

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