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Kevin Pietersen’s Courageous Prediction Of Test Cricket’s Future
By CricShots - Feb 20, 2018 10:39 am
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Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen has claimed that in upcoming days the Test cricket will be reduced to just five out of the current 10 Test playing members of the ICC. He feels that the change in the aspect of cricket could very well change in the next decade or so. He stated that the five nations would be: Australia, England, India, South Africa and Pakistan.

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Kevin Pietersen is one of the crucial cogs of England’s Test team during his playing days

Most striking omission from his list is West Indies a team that dominated Test cricket from the 1970s to mid-1990s. Assisted by a fiery bowling attack for recurring generations, Windies wreaked havoc in the minds of most the teams. However, most recently, their fear factor has dwindled drastically. Though they still are a strong side in in the shortest format of the game.

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In a tweet Pietersen said, “Here we go – in 10yrs the only cricket Test-playing nations will be, England, SA, India, Pakistan & Australia. The rest will all be white ball cricketers! Just remember this tweet!”

Once a team to beat, West Indies have been severely affected by poor management and in-fighting between board and cricketers. Left in a stumble, players have chosen to play in cash-rich T20 leagues all around the globe. In the longest format of the game, their last notable win came back in 2008/09 against England at home. Since then, they’ve beaten Bangladesh and Zimbabwe but have floundered against tougher opposition.

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Other omissions from the list were New Zealand – who have remained out of the ground and rising as strong challengers in red ball cricket and Sri Lanka who have been under a dry run of late.

Kevin Pietersen to play his last match in the PSL

Having represented England in 104 Tests, 136 ODIs, and 37 T20Is, Pietersen will hang his boots from cricket after playing in the upcoming season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). In an emotional Instagram post, he shared how difficult to bid adieu had become and the time had come to bring his cricket career to a close.

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Taking to Instagram, Pietersen said, “Countless goodbyes to @jessicalibertyx & my kids as a cricket player & this one this evening is the last one I’ll ever have to do. I’ve hated every goodbye but also known it’s work so just gotten on with it. The journey has been absolutely amazing & for the next 3/4 weeks, I’ll be a current professional & then it’s chapter closed! Had my time & loved it but the endless goodbyes & travel needs to calm down now.
Cricket has been the best!”

Since playing his last international game for England at the 2013/14 Ashes, Pietersen has focused on commentary and T20 leagues across the globe. It is not certainly clear whether he will continue down that path after a month of PSL.