England ends Pietersen’s international career

LONDON, (Reuters) – Kevin Pietersen’s brilliant and controversial international career ended yesterday as the fallout from England’s woeful Ashes campaign claimed the scalp of one of the country’s most mercurial batting talents.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) brought the curtain down on Pietersen’s near 10-year spell at the top by leaving him out of the squad for this year’s World Twenty20 and limited overs tour of the Caribbean.

Paul Downton, the managing director of England cricket, cited a need “to rebuild not only the team but also team ethic and philosophy”, effectively closing the door on a player frequently labelled a disruptive dressing-room influence. “England cricket owes a debt of gratitude to Kevin who has proved to be one of the most talented and exciting players to ever represent the country and his 13,797 runs are a testimony to his immense skill. “This decision brings some clarity now for the future of the England teams and we all wish Kevin the very best in the rest of his career.”

The 33-year-old South-African born Pietersen, who played in 104 test matches, 136 one-day internationals and 37 Twenty20 internationals for England, was left in little doubt that he would not grace the international stage again.