Kevin Pietersen has given the biggest clue yet that he may make a U-turn on his decision to retire from limited-overs internationals.
Batsman refuses to rule out one-day return with England
Kevin Pietersen has given the biggest clue yet that he may make a U-turn on his decision to retire from limited-overs internationals after revealing that he is currently in talks with the England and Wales Cricket Board over his future.
Pietersen ended his limited-overs career for England when he announced his surprise retirement from the shorter formats of international cricket, at the age of just 31, earlier this summer.
Speculation has mounted in recent days that the South Africa-born right-hander was set to perform a U-turn on that decision, though, after reportedly meeting ECB officials.
While Pietersen appeared to validate those claims, he indicated England's international schedule, which helped prompt his retirement, was still a major hurdle to any possible return.
Pietersen, speaking after cracking a sublime 234 not out against Lancashire at Guildford on Friday, said: "I've said before that, if the schedule was right, if they could sort my schedule out, I would love to play for another three or four years in all forms of cricket.
Desire
"But the schedule at the moment is a nightmare. I hope something can be sorted out."
Asked if talks with the ECB about his limited overs future had begun, he replied: "I think so."
Pietersen had initially wanted to call time only on 50-over cricket and carry on in Twenty20, but the terms of ECB central contracts prevent players picking and choosing their formats.
Pietersen reiterated his desire to play in England's World Twenty20 title defence later this year, however, he would have to act fast to claim a place.
England must meet an ICC deadline of July 18 to name their initial 30-man squad for the tournament in Sri Lanka in September.
"I've always said I want to play in Twenty20," he added. "But I needed to get away from the schedule. I cannot keep playing every single day's cricket. I've never been looked after. I cannot keep playing every warm-up game, I cannot keep practising every single day.
"There comes a time when I know what I need to do to be successful. I've got a young family and I cannot be on the treadmill all day, every day."
