Kevin Pietersen insisted last night that he has not retired from Twenty20 cricket and still wants to be part of England’s defence of their world title this year, having been the most dominant player in securing it two years ago.
In giving up 50-over internationals, Pietersen has been forced to step down from Twenty20s as well under the terms of his central contract. England said that he must commit to both or neither because “planning for both formats is closely linked”.
During talks with England last month, Pietersen’s representatives suggested that he be allowed to rest from 50-over cricket in the summer to ease his workload, although still feature in the tournament in Sri Lanka, that starts in September, effectively delaying retirement.
When England rejected that idea Pietersen, 31, opted to go through with his plan. He cited the workload of playing three formats and said that his body would not allow him to continue across all cricket through to the 2015 World Cup.
Hugh Morris, the managing director of England Cricket, described Pietersen’s timing as “disappointing less than four months before we defend our ICC World Twenty20 title”. However, Adam Wheatley, Pietersen’s manager, said: “We were very clear with the ECB that he wants to continue in Twenty20 and as far as he is concerned he has not retired. Should they change their minds or make an exception, he is available and would love to play in Sri Lanka, simple as that.
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“Resting was discussed, but I can respect the decision by Andy Flower [the team director]. It would be a very difficult thing to do because it would come under more scrutiny and bring more problems. People are already talking about the question of James Anderson and Stuart Broad being rested for a Test match.”
According to an ECB statement, Pietersen “accepts that his contract will continue to run through to September 2012, but that the contract will be downgraded to reflect that he will only be selected for Test match cricket”.
The ECB has given no favours. Stepping down immediately from his A-plus grading as a senior player may cost him as much as £70,000 as a retainer payment. Further losses in match fees, bonuses and a group share scheme could push that figure towards £300,000.
A source who has been involved with central contract negotiations hinted that Pietersen may be vulnerable when deals are renewed at the end of September, although Andrew Strauss has terms as a Test specialist. Commitments now reduced, Pietersen may explore postings in more domestic Twenty20 events abroad.
He has a target of reaching 10,000 Test runs and the Ashes series in 2013 and 2013-14 are the big occasions that he most wants to enjoy. But, so soon after being fined for criticising Nick Knight as a commentator, the latest development is unlikely to improve his fractured relationship with the ECB hierarchy.
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Although he spoke to the Professional Cricketers’ Association in 2010 about possibly retiring from 50-over cricket after the 2011 World Cup, he opted to continue and had been forthright until yesterday in his determination to play through to the next event in Australia and New Zealand in three years’ time.
He will receive little sympathy having chosen to add to his international schedule by playing for the Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League after the Sri Lanka series, but few critics would reject his $2 million [about £1.3 million] contract. The 50-over schedule this season is grinding, with 14 internationals, plus five in India before Christmas.
Ironically, Pietersen might have been dropped for the series against West Indies, that starts a a fortnight tomorrow, had he played poorly in the 50-over games versus Pakistan in the UAE. Commanding back-to-back hundreds as an opener in what will now be his final two one-day internationals reaffirmed his status.
He stands No 1 in the ICC Twenty20 batting rankings and was named player of the tournament when England won the world title in 2010. But the latest development will be another distraction for the squad reconvening at Edgbaston on Tuesday for the third Test against West Indies starting two days later.
Big numbers
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125
One-day internationals for England, making 4,166 runs at an average of 42.51
9
Centuries in one-day internationals
73
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Sixes in one-day internationals, the third most by an England player after Andrew Flintoff and Paul Collingwood
36
Twenty20 internationals, in which he has hit seven fifties, with top score of 79