KEVIN PIETERSEN TO RETIRE FROM ODIS AFTER ICC WORLD CUP 2011

Kevin Pietersen to retire from ODIs after ICC World Cup 2011

England’s prolific middle-order batsman Kevin Pietersen is planning to bid farewell to the 50-over format of the game after the ICC World Cup 2011, which is set to begin from the 19th of February, jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

According to reports, the batsman wants to concentrate on Test and Twenty20 cricket, which includes the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Pietersen was with the team during the hectic Australian tour that spanned over nearly three months. The English team then returned home only for three days and flew out to Bangladesh to begin preparing for the World Cup on 12th February.

Pietersen wants to spend more time with his nine-month-old son and wife but has realised that this will not be possible unless he quits the fifty-over game.  It will however, have a significant impact on his pay because of the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) clauses of loyalty and pension provision.

Pietersen has become a significant part of the English outfit and the board will not be pleased with his decision. He is believed to be a specialist One-Day player and finding his replacement will not be easy for England.

Pietersen was part of the English team that defeated the Aussies in Australia after 24 years in the Ashes series. Pietersen played a vital role in the middle order during the Ashes which helped the tourists retain the urn.

However, he will be making the decision final after thoroughly considering all options. With the presence of a lucrative league like the IPL and the growing number of Twenty20 tournaments, it is likely that he will find enough financial avenues to decide to quit ODIs.

He has had an impressive record in the subcontinent and his input will be pivotal for England if they are to win the World Cup in the subcontinent. With Paul Collingwood still struggling to find form, it will be Pietersen’s responsibility to carry the middle-order batting line-up for England. He may also come in handy with the ball, should the skipper Andrew Strauss choose to give him a couple of overs to bowl during the World Cup.