The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsKevin Pietersen was England’s best batsmen for a number of years up until his high-profile departure from the side. He was a fans favourite who could change the state of a game within a session.
However, since Andrew Strauss told him that he was not in his plans at the start of this season, it is clear that there is no way back for him into the national team. England’s success in the Ashes would confirm this point, as the middle order showed themselves to be more than capable during the summer.
This leaves him with limited options, and with age against him, probably only one sensible career path from his current situation. That would be to become a t20 specialist, which he is currently doing, by playing for the likes of the Sunfoil Dolphins in South Africa and St Lucia Zouks in the Caribbean.
This would enable him to keep entertaining crowds and making more money than if he were to stay in England and fight for his place in the England side at Surrey, where he scored his highest first-class score of 355* in May against Leicestershire.
He has never had an easy relationship with the ECB since his ill-fated spell as captain between August 2008 and January 2009. He resigned after just 3 tests and 9 ODIs, following a dispute with England coach Peter Moores.
Pietersen last played for England in the 2013-14 Ashes and subsequent ODIs, after which he was informed that he was no longer being considered for international selection.
Even with the talent that Pietersen holds, it is hard to imagine his name ever being mentioned as a possible selection, let alone playing for England again. Therefore, he should use his ability to good use in the shortest form of the game, and continue to entertain crowds across the globe in t20s.
