LONDON: Kevin Pietersen’s controversial England career came to an abrupt end after officials announced on Tuesday that they “unanimously” want to rebuild the side without the star batsman.
In a joint statement with their 33-year-old former captain, the ECB announced they had left Pietersen out of their forthcoming squads for both the upcoming ODI tour of the West Indies and the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh.
ECB managing director Paul Downton said Pietersen’s international career was being terminated because of a need to “rebuild” following the team’s 5-0 Ashes loss in Australia.
In the statement, Pietersen said: “Playing cricket for my country has been an honour.
“Although I am obviously very sad the incredible journey has come to an end, I’m also hugely proud of what we, as a team, have achieved over the past nine years.”
He added: “I believe I have a great deal still to give as a cricketer. I will continue to play but deeply regret that it won’t be for England.”
Downton, who only recently oversaw the departure of England coach Andy Flower following the Ashes thrashing, said: “Clearly this was a tough decision because Kevin has been such an outstanding player for England as the fact that he is the country’s leading run scorer in international cricket demonstrates.
Pietersen’s nine-year international career saw him establish himself as one of the world’s leading batsmen and this decision is bound to lead to questions about the ECB’s ability to ‘handle’ star players, given he remains the most talented member of their current top-order. (AFP)
