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Kevin Pietersen still keen to play for England following Eoin Morgan's appointment as captain

Kevin Pietersen: Hoping to play for England again
Image: Kevin Pietersen: Has tweeted his desire to return to the England fold

Kevin Pietersen remains determined to reclaim his place in the England set-up despite comments made by England officials over the weekend.

After Alastair Cook was replaced by Eoin Morgan as skipper of England’s ODI side on Saturday, Paul Downton and James Whitaker both made it clear that the change of captaincy did not pave the way for Pietersen to rejoin the team.

Downton, managing director of the England and Wales Cricket Board, was quick to point out: “We parted company with Kevin in January because throughout the ECB management, from the dressing room up to the board, it was felt that it was the right decision to go in a slightly different direction.

“If anything, more bridges have been burnt by Kevin’s book (autobiography). There is no interest from our point of view in going backwards.”

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And national selector Whitaker was just as forthright saying: “No, no, no. Pietersen will never get back into an England team.”

However, this does not appear to have deterred the 34-year-old – who is currently playing in Australia’s Big Bash for Melbourne Stars – with Pietersen tweeting on Sunday: “Despite the rather disrespectful comments by Paul Downton and James Whitaker, I remain determined to regain my England place.”

Pietersen does have the support of former Australia opener Matthew Hayden who said: "I think it's ludicrous that Kevin isn't in the England side. That's just crazy.

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"One thing that I really love about him in the Big Bash League is his innovation. World Cups are won on innovative batting.”

Following Morgan’s appointment, Pietersen had tweeted: “Great news. Top player, leader and bloke. Hope I get to play for him."

Pietersen has played 136 ODIs for England, notching nine tons and with an impressive average of 40.73. The World Cup starts in Australia in February next year.

Watch the Big Bash live on Sky Sports, continuing when Perth Scorchers take on the Adelaide Strikers from 8am on Monday on Sky Sports 2.

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