KEVIN Pietersen said he is ready to return to the England side after scoring a career-best 326 not out for Surrey in the County Championship. The 34-year-old, sacked by England in February 2014, hit his maiden triple-century against Leicestershire.
Pietersen said he would meet last evening with Andrew Strauss, England’s new director of cricket, who will hold his first news conference today.
“I’m incredibly proud of how I played under pressure,” said Pietersen.
“People were saying on social media that this would be a career-defining innings for me and they were asking me if I was ready for it. I knew there was a lot of pressure on me and I was feeling it.
“What more can I do? All I can do is score runs. I’m ready to play for England.”
Pietersen last played for England in the final Test of a 5-0 Ashes series defeat in Australia in January 2014.
He was sacked a month later and released an autobiography in October criticising several players, saying there was a “bullying culture” in the squad.
But after the 2015 World Cup – where England lost four of their six matches – incoming England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Colin Graves said Pietersen could be recalled if he impressed in the county game.
The South Africa-born batsman reduced his Indian Premier League commitments for 2015 and re-signed for Surrey.
Yesterday’s innings, which came off 373 balls and included 34 fours and 14 sixes, took Surrey to 528-9 after two days, in reply to Leicestershire’s 292 all out.
“It is probably the best innings I’ve ever played,” said Pietersen. “I have a burning desire to play for England again – I’m desperate to do so.
“I’ve said for a while that I’m batting better than ever and this is proof of that. I’m happy to do as well as I can for Surrey, they’ve been amazing for me for a number of years and this is paying them back for being so amazing.
“It was an incredibly special moment, a special feeling. I’ve always wondered if I would get anywhere near 300, but if I bat well on Tuesday, maybe I could get near 400.” (BBC Sport)