Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen has finally announced that he has finally called off his illustrious cricket career. Pietersen said in February that the Pakistan Super League would be his final tournament.
Although his PSL team Quetta Gladiators has reached the playoffs and will lock horns with Peshawar Zalmi in the eliminator on Tuesday, the 37-year-old seems to have called time on his playing days.
“BOOTS UP! Thank you!” Pietersen – England’s second-highest run scorer across all forms of the game – posted on Twitter.
BOOTS UP!
Thank you! 😍— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) March 16, 2018
He later added on Instagram: “Boots up! Feet up! Family, animals, golf…! H O M E!”
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Michael Vaughan, who led England when Pietersen’s maiden hundred at The Oval helped clinch the 2005 Ashes series, congratulated his former team-mate on a stellar career. Taking to Twitter, Vaughan wrote, “Well done @KP24 on an fantastic career … Not everyone’s Cup of Tea but you will do for me. Best batsman I had the pleasure to play with … 1st England batsman that put fear into the Aussies.”
Well done @KP24 on an fantastic career … Not everyone’s Cup of Tea but you will do for me … Best Batsman I had the pleasure to play with … 1st England batsman that put fear into the Aussies .. #WellDone
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 16, 2018
Before heading to Pakistan, Pietersen revealed via social media he was looking forward to focusing on his young family, he said, “I’ve hated every goodbye but also known it’s work so just gotten on with it. The journey has been absolutely amazing and for the next 3/4 weeks I’ll be a current professional and then it’s chapter closed.”
Former England bowler Simon Jones replied to Pietersen’s tweet by posting: “Absolute pleasure Kelv. Most talented batter I ever saw, great guy, go well as I know you will.”
Absolute pleasure Kelv. Most talented batter I ever saw, Greater guy, go well as I know you will..
— Simon Jones MBE (@si610) March 16, 2018
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In 104 Tests for England, Pietersen scored 8181 runs at 47.28 with 23 centuries and 35 half-centuries. In 136 ODIs, he managed to score 4440 runs with nine centuries and 25 half-centuries. He also appeared in 37 T20Is, scoring 1176 runs with seven fifties and was part of England’s World T20 winning team in 2010.
However, the former captain was dropped and omitted from consideration for all future England matches after a dispute with management following the 5-0 Ashes thumping in 2013-14.
