By: Tarish Bhatt
There is no denying Kevin Pietersen is one of the finest modern English batsmen, his desperation of wearing England colours, again, is something which is not hidden. He was sacked from the England team, following Ashes debacle, but he has not given up, despite knowing making a return would be more than tough.
Selection into the team is not in Pietersen’s hand, but he has is scoring runs, and he is doing it quite well. He is probably the best batsman in England right now and string of talismanic performances is supporting his bid for an England comeback.
The South African-born hit a flowing triple-century against the Leicestershire at The Oval, and if this isn’t enough for a recall for someone like Pietersen’s stature, would be difficult to know what is required. Even Pietersen knows that it wouldn’t be easy, but he is content by putting his best foot forward.
“I knew I needed to basically answer any questions with runs,” Pietersen said after hitting the triple-century. “I think 326 is a pretty good argument. “What more can I do? I was told by the chairman-elect to get a county. I was told to score runs.”
“I’ve always said since my knee was sorted in Australia that if my knee’s good, I’ll play well. I played well in the Big Bash. I gave up a contract in India. I’m not playing for any money here. I’m dedicated to getting back my England place. I want my England place and I think I deserve my England place.”
According to reports in the British media, Pietersen’s fate is already decided and he would not be picked in the England squad. His ‘could be’ exclusion is linked with the appointment of Andrew Strauss, who is now England’s new cricket director.
There is no denying Pietersen had disciplinary issues in the past and also his relationship with Strauss is not the best in the world. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has a tough call to make regarding Pietersen, and everyone knows it wouldn’t be an easy one.
But, more than anyone else, England need Pietersen, seeing the kind of form England team is in. And, former England skipper Michael Vaughan nailed it on the social media site Twitter, giving his opinion whether Pietersen should or shouldn’t be in the team.
Vaughan Tweeted: “Just pick your best available players and let’s stop over complicating sport. It’s a game of cricket nothing more nothing less.”
