Kevin Pietersen concedes Andrew Strauss was right to snub Test recall hope
England exile Kevin Pietersen has conceded that director of cricket Andrew Strauss was right to dash his hopes of a Test recall this summer and effectively close the door on his international career.
Pietersen was sacked by the England and Wales Cricket Board in February 2014 but appeared to be given encouragement by incoming chairman Colin Graves that an end to his international wilderness was a possibility.
But just as the clamour for his re-introduction was reaching a crescendo in May, Strauss – who endured a fractious relationship with Pietersen while team-mates – ruled out any notion of a comeback in one of his first acts in his new ECB role.
“It seems to be the right decision at the moment and good luck to him,” said Pietersen, who scored 8,181 runs in 104 Test for England. “He had a decision to make and he made his decision and it turned out absolutely fine.”
Pietersen’s absence did little harm as England proceeded to regain the Ashes which were so unceremoniously surrendered during a whitewash series in 2013/14, while also cultivating a newfound attacking brand in one-day cricket.
The 35-year-old’s future appears to be purely Twenty20 based with next year’s inaugural Pakistan Super League his latest undertaking, and Pietersen insists he has reconciled himself with the suggestion that a reintegration to Test cricket looks a bleak prospect. He added: “If it is, it is [the door permanently closed]. I’m not sitting here worrying about what has happened. I’m living my life.”