Kevin Pietersen refuses to rule out playing for South Africa in the 2019 World Cup

[Abdullah719]

Kevin Pietersen has refused to rule out playing for South Africa in the 2019 World Cup.

The 37-year-old batsman last played for England in January 2014, and he will be eligible to play for the Proteas from next year.

And he admits it’s possible he cold represent the country of his birth in the world Cup in England in two years’ time.

He told Drivetime: “I’ll play [Twenty20 cricket] in South Africa for the next two years, I’ll play in Australia for the next two years, I’ll play in Pakistan for the next two years.

“The issue with [playing in] England next year is I’m building a lodge in Africa and the time I’ll be there with my family and doing stuff in Africa is over this period, so I won’t be in England next year.

“And then I don’t think at 39 I fancy warm-ups in the summer.”

When pressed as to whether or not he would continue playing, however, he admitted: “I’ll play for South Africa!”

He added: “ It’s a possibility, wherever it happens we’ll wait until 2019. All I’m doing now is committing to the franchises. I don’t know, we’ll see.”

http://talksport.com/cricket/kevin-...ying-south-africa-2019-world-cup-170719247389

 

[Leo23]

lol he is not good enough to get picked in the ipl any more and barely performs in psl but dreams of playing for south africa.

he was a wonderful player and one of my favorite but he is very delusional about how good he is at his current age.

he is not good enough for high level cricket anymore

 

[HitWicket]

Has he been predominantly living in South Africa for the last 2 years in order to qualify?

 

[mak36]

If this happens, England v South Africa is a must

 

[mak36]

Also, it is interesting that he plans on continuing to skip the IPL.

 

[ads101]

Man should retire from international cricket with some grace. It's clear he won't get picked for England and SA.

Understand his frustration at ECB and former England team mates. But talking like this people are going to think his commitment to England was insincere. KP wasn't just playing for ECB he was playing for England fans too.

 

[Hasan123]

He's not skipping the ipl, he's not good enough anymore for the ipl. The franchises have realised this and due to this KP pulls himself out of the auction to avoid going unpicked and avoid denting his ego.

He's not good enough for international cricket anymore and even t20 leagues he will perform in 2/3 games but don't expect him to dominate a tournament at his age. Past his best unfortunately.

 

[idrizzy]

This is more of a fairytale than Asif making a comeback.

Please retire with any dignity you have left.

 

[Bilal7]

Even in his prime, he would have found it tough to play ODIs for South Africa. He's probably just having fun with the fans with these statements.

 

[Boi]

would be great.

 

[Abdullah719]

Even in his prime, he would have found it tough to play ODIs for South Africa. He's probably just having fun with the fans with these statements.

They've literally had the likes of Duminy and Miller as a fixture in their ODI side for God knows how long and KP is easily better. At his prime, KP was easily good enough to be in the SA side. Across formats.

Not so sure about that happening in 2019 though. He can still take on lesser bowlers but don't know about him playing against high quality bowling at this stage of his career.

 

[mak36]

Even in his prime, he would have found it tough to play ODIs for South Africa. He's probably just having fun with the fans with these statements.

Probably- it looks as though the journalist was looking for a story and Pietersen replied with his tongue firmly in his cheek. To be fair to him, if journalists keep asking such questions, why shouldn't he have some fun?

 

[Boi]

He's not skipping the ipl, he's not good enough anymore for the ipl. The franchises have realised this and due to this KP pulls himself out of the auction to avoid going unpicked and avoid denting his ego.

He's not good enough for international cricket anymore and even t20 leagues he will perform in 2/3 games but don't expect him to dominate a tournament at his age. Past his best unfortunately.

lol rubbish. When trash players like Henriques and Christian can get contracts why wouldn't KP? T20 merceneries like McCullum and Gayle solely get picked at the IPL on reputation alone and you're saying KP wouldn't when he's just as much of a box office player as them.

The IPL is too long for him that's why doesn't play. 2 months in India along with being away at other leagues around the world is understandably too much for him.

The legend deserves to go out of the game on a winning note in 2019. Hopefully we see it happen and he along with AB and Amla get the heroes farewell they truly deserve.

 

[kaifmazhar]

Really?? He still harbours an unusual dream? Wow Wow Wow....

 

[proud_pakistani]

Still good enough to play for South Africa. South African batting besides Amla and AB is very over rated.

 

[Yossarian]

Batting with the support of a Zimmer frame won't be allowed at the 2019 World Cup.

 

[James]

It's already pipe & slippers time for KP - in terms of a World Cup appearance, he wouldn't be able to concentrate for long enough to play an innings even across 50 overs nowadays, let alone in a Test match which used to be his best format... after England had given him a home, a livelihood, a career, legions of adoring fans, and eventually an A+ Central Contract where he was the top earning cricketer in the country alongside Flintoff and Vaughan!!

Surely he is far too hated in South Africa to ever get picked anyway.

He is a domestic T20 specialist now. That's it.

 

[j_kazmi]

I would love to actually see this happen.

 

[Jabo]

On paper

That sounds like a dominating XI

Amla
KP
Du Plessis
AB
JP
De Kock

But KP is done

 

[On_the_up]

AB and KP help SA overcome "C" word to reach first WC final

Now that would be a story.

.
.
.
.
.

Before loosing against Pakistan of course.

 

[Hawkeye]

lol he is not good enough to get picked in the ipl any more and barely performs in psl but dreams of playing for south africa.

he was a wonderful player and one of my favorite but he is very delusional about how good he is at his current age.

he is not good enough for high level cricket anymore

He's not skipping the ipl, he's not good enough anymore for the ipl. The franchises have realised this and due to this KP pulls himself out of the auction to avoid going unpicked and avoid denting his ego.

He's not good enough for international cricket anymore and even t20 leagues he will perform in 2/3 games but don't expect him to dominate a tournament at his age. Past his best unfortunately.

UMMM.

KP is still better than more than half of the whole IPL. Not sure under what rock you folks have been living. Even GAYLE is picked up by the league!

And not to mention, the crappy players like these mentioned below:

lol rubbish. When trash players like Henriques and Christian can get contracts why wouldn't KP? T20 merceneries like McCullum and Gayle solely get picked at the IPL on reputation alone and you're saying KP wouldn't when he's just as much of a box office player as them.

The IPL is too long for him that's why doesn't play. 2 months in India along with being away at other leagues around the world is understandably too much for him.

The legend deserves to go out of the game on a winning note in 2019. Hopefully we see it happen and he along with AB and Amla get the heroes farewell they truly deserve.

KP is a FAR bigger star, player, and icon than more than half the IPL still.

 

[mak36]

On paper

That sounds like a dominating XI

Amla
KP
Du Plessis
AB
JP
De Kock

But KP is done

Looked good, until I saw JP Duminy's name on that list...

 

[mak36]

UMMM.

KP is still better than more than half of the whole IPL. Not sure under what rock you folks have been living. Even GAYLE is picked up by the league!

And not to mention, the crappy players like these mentioned below:





KP is a FAR bigger star, player, and icon than more than half the IPL still.

Finally, some sense is spoken.

 

[Leo23]

UMMM.

KP is still better than more than half of the whole IPL. Not sure under what rock you folks have been living. Even GAYLE is picked up by the league!

And not to mention, the crappy players like these mentioned below:





KP is a FAR bigger star, player, and icon than more than half the IPL still.

he was poor for delhi in his last ipl season. he was not going to get picked last year that is why he did not put himself forward in the auction. he is an expired player and quetta should look to replace him with a younger foreign player.

 

[Justcrazy]

He is past his prime , not good any more.

 

[Jabo]

Looked good, until I saw JP Duminy's name on that list...

Not seen or followed much cricket, especially SA, be glad I didn't put Kallis and Smith on there

Smith
Amla
KP
AB
Du Plessis
Kallis

 

[Aman]

AB and KP help SA overcome "C" word to reach first WC final

Now that would be a story.

.
.
.
.
.

Before loosing against Pakistan of course.

How did Pakistan come into this?

We've knocked them out in the last two WCs.

 

[www787]

I didn't know S. Africa had international team of senior citizens?

He is done and dusted. Trying to stay relevant by giving out useless statements.

If I were him I'd focus on commentary and other non-playing related cricket matters to make living.

 

[Dios]

He should just let it rest. South Africa is not some phateechar team that will have turn to a 39 year old for the world cup. Maybe he can try Zimbabwe.

 

[Hasan123]

lol rubbish. When trash players like Henriques and Christian can get contracts why wouldn't KP? T20 merceneries like McCullum and Gayle solely get picked at the IPL on reputation alone and you're saying KP wouldn't when he's just as much of a box office player as them.

The IPL is too long for him that's why doesn't play. 2 months in India along with being away at other leagues around the world is understandably too much for him.

The legend deserves to go out of the game on a winning note in 2019. Hopefully we see it happen and he along with AB and Amla get the heroes farewell they truly deserve.

KP hasn't even done anything in special in the IPL over the years anyway. Have a look at his record. Now that he is older and more prone to injuries no IPL franchise will pick him. Watch how he won't put himself in the auction.

So how come he commentate for 2 months , but can't play lol?

South Africa won't pick him.

 

[Hasan123]

UMMM.

KP is still better than more than half of the whole IPL. Not sure under what rock you folks have been living. Even GAYLE is picked up by the league!

And not to mention, the crappy players like these mentioned below:





KP is a FAR bigger star, player, and icon than more than half the IPL still.

He doesn't even have a great record in the ipl. IPL teams look at players previous tournament performances and scout them through other T20 leagues. Whilst you think they are rubbish players the IPL teams have a reason for signing them.

KP won't be picked up in this year's auction as well.

 

[shaz619]

KP had a fine tournament in the PSL 35 average @ 150+ S/R is not bad at all and the bowling quality in the PSL is of a high calibre as well compared to other leagues around the world, as a team owner I'd definitely pick him in the IPL if he was in the auction; I think the main reason KP has not featured is due to the risk of injury given his age as well more then anything IPL is a lengthy tournament, plus it comes down to personal motivation as well; the PSL was a challenge, IPL no longer gets his juices flowing and he's a player who tends to thrive on those big occasions. He is obviously past his best so he'd not get paid as much but no way would he not get picked.

SA probably won't pick him, his comments were tongue in cheek obviously; I'd welcome it though if he did as he's my favourite England batsman. Hypothetically were it to occur, if there was a player to pull it off and have a good tournament or at the very least deliver in the crunch situations it would be him; Misbah ul Haq was 41 I believe when he featured in the 2015 WC age is just a number [MENTION=865]Big Mac[/MENTION]

 

[Arham_PakFan]

KP is too old to play fpr SA now,I think he meant it as a joke

.He should focus on T20 leagues for now.He's good enough to play in the IPL and was decent last PSL apart from the first 3/4 innings.He played well for Surrey yesterday too.He is playing in the Global T20,BBL,PSL and I think CPL too.

 

[shaz619]

KP is too old to play fpr SA now,I think he meant it as a joke

.He should focus on T20 leagues for now.He's good enough to play in the IPL and was decent last PSL apart from the first 3/4 innings.He played well for Surrey yesterday too.He is playing in the Global T20,BBL,PSL and I think CPL too.

Yeah that 50 was a great knock he was the only Surrey batsman who didn't struggle, Mohammad Amir was on fire in that game and restricted the team total to 150 but Essex failed to chase it down.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Yeah that 50 was a great knock he was the only Surrey batsman who didn't struggle, Mohammad Amir was on fire in that game and restricted the team total to 150 but Essex failed to chase it down.

Yesterdays innings was proof KP has still got it.

Remember that innings he played against LQ in Sharjah in this PSL?Hit an amazing 80 odd and chased down 200.One of the best T20 innings ever.

 

[shaz619]

KP after that Surrey game:

"I absolutely loved being back out there. It was a date in my diary I had looked forward to for a very long time so to get there and do what I did and help the boys get the victory was magnificent.

"My calf is a little bit sore and, at 37, I know my body. If I had gone out there and started sprinting I could have done a lot of damage to it. I want to play on Friday against Middlesex but if I need to pull up I will.

"It was just nice to be batting, manipulating the field and keeping things ticking over. Hitting sixes is a by-product of the art of batting and I still love the art of batting.

"

This is the main reason why he has opted out the IPL in recent times, he knows that his injury prone body could be at risk in a 2 month Tournament. But personally if he said he was available, I'd still keep him around and manage his work load to point where he is selected for crunch games; if he misses that Middlesex game in this case for example it's fine because Surrey are sitting pretty in the top 3 of the table anyway. Clearly though the magic is still there or else he'd not produce a special knock against an attack which featured a world class bowler in Amir, the problem for KP is that there comes a time when the heart wants to do something but the body just doesn't respond. His fitness is the biggest ? at this stage but other then that when he's up for it the man can still bat [MENTION=139765]Arham_PakFan[/MENTION]

 

[shaz619]

[MENTION=139765]Arham_PakFan[/MENTION] [MENTION=134608]Hawkeye[/MENTION]

KP is smart, he manages his work load (the man knows his body, plus he's not youngest bloke around) and picks and chooses which leagues he wants to play in. I'd rather challenge myself in a month long PSL then a 2 month inferior IPL where I could be potentially injured for a long time, just not worth it; rather do commentary and get paid $$$$$$ instead so fair play to KP

 

[Arham_PakFan]

KP after that Surrey game:



This is the main reason why he has opted out the IPL in recent times, he knows that his injury prone body could be at risk in a 2 month Tournament. But personally if he said he was available, I'd still keep him around and manage his work load to point where he is selected for crunch games; if he misses that Middlesex game in this case for example it's fine because Surrey are sitting pretty in the top 3 of the table anyway. Clearly though the magic is still there or else he'd not produce a special knock against an attack which featured a world class bowler in Amir, the problem for KP is that there comes a time when the heart wants to do something but the body just doesn't respond. His fitness is the biggest ? at this stage but other then that when he's up for it the man can still bat [MENTION=139765]Arham_PakFan[/MENTION]

His fitness issues are the main reason why he didn't play in the IPL,which is the league with the most games and is almost 2 months long.

That is why he was available for commentary but not games [MENTION=141114]Hasan123[/MENTION]

If IPL teams picked Gayle,who had a terrible 2016-2017,they would have picked Pietersen too.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

[MENTION=139765]Arham_PakFan[/MENTION] [MENTION=134608]Hawkeye[/MENTION]

KP is smart, he manages his work load (the man knows his body, plus he's not youngest bloke around) and picks and chooses which leagues he wants to play in. I'd rather challenge myself in a month long PSL then a 2 month inferior IPL where I could be potentially injured for a long time, just not worth it; rather do commentary and get paid $$$$$$ instead so fair play to KP

I completely agree,it's a two month long tournament with a hectic schedule.KP is very injury prone now.

 

[Rana]

KP just needs to be a bit more patient and ECB will eventually give him that farewell Test, ODI or whatever. Its very sad for the ECB to let one of its most prolific run scorers to sign off in another countries colours.

 

[HitWicket]

KP just needs to be a bit more patient and ECB will eventually give him that farewell Test, ODI or whatever. Its very sad for the ECB to let one of its most prolific run scorers to sign off in another countries colours.

No such thing as the strange concept of farewell international games here.

 

[Boi]

KP hasn't even done anything in special in the IPL over the years anyway. Have a look at his record. Now that he is older and more prone to injuries no IPL franchise will pick him. Watch how he won't put himself in the auction.

So how come he commentate for 2 months , but can't play lol?

South Africa won't pick him.

He didn't commentate for the whole tournament. Did the first couple of weeks then came back for the finals.

 

[gazza619]

lol he is not good enough to get picked in the ipl any more and barely performs in psl but dreams of playing for south africa.

he was a wonderful player and one of my favorite but he is very delusional about how good he is at his current age.

he is not good enough for high level cricket anymore

since when did playing in IPL become the benchmark of playing at international level?..can u name how many SA players from the current international line up play in IPL? only a handful I guess..

Some players are destined to do better at international stage as compared to some sloggers league..

 

[Leo23]

since when did playing in IPL become the benchmark of playing at international level?..can u name how many SA players from the current international line up play in IPL? only a handful I guess..

Some players are destined to do better at international stage as compared to some sloggers league..

if you cannot perform consistently for t20 leagues what hope do you have in odis and t20 internationals? he is too old now and fails in majority of his innings. his reflexes are declining and he is not the force he once was. in 2 years time he will probably be good enough for some retired league only.

thankfully csa will have better sense than some of the posters here and not consider him. he is an expired player now.

 

[gazza619]

if you cannot perform consistently for t20 leagues what hope do you have in odis and t20 internationals? he is too old now and fails in majority of his innings. his reflexes are declining and he is not the force he once was. in 2 years time he will probably be good enough for some retired league only.

thankfully csa will have better sense than some of the posters here and not consider him. he is an expired player now.

T20 leagues has no comparison to an ODI World Cup. Stop overestimating your Mickey Mouse IPL League. The same goes for our retired PSL league too.

KP may have to offer a lot for SA if he maintains his focus for 2019 ODI World Cup.

 

[Leo23]

T20 leagues has no comparison to an ODI World Cup. Stop overestimating your Mickey Mouse IPL League. The same goes for our retired PSL league too.

KP may have to offer a lot for SA if he maintains his focus for 2019 ODI World Cup.

i am a pakistani but kohli is my favorite cricketer. no pietersen does not have anything to offer to sa at this stage. he is well past his peak and needs to think about retirement now.

 

[gazza619]

i am a pakistani but kohli is my favorite cricketer. no pietersen does not have anything to offer to sa at this stage. he is well past his peak and needs to think about retirement now.

Oh ok.

I agree that KP has past his best. See the thing is that a class player can win you a World Cup (even if he is past his best). That is the beauty of a World Cup. You look at the history of sports (not just cricket alone), you will notice that World events bring outs the best of classy players. Given the track record of SA in World events, I would happily consider KP if I was South African..

 

[Hasan123]

His fitness issues are the main reason why he didn't play in the IPL,which is the league with the most games and is almost 2 months long.

That is why he was available for commentary but not games [MENTION=141114]Hasan123[/MENTION]

If IPL teams picked Gayle,who had a terrible 2016-2017,they would have picked Pietersen too.

You are free to believe what you want.

When he was an international cricketer, he wanted to play the full season in the ipl now when he can why would he opt when he's free the full season? He. Has enough rest in between each t20 tournament.

 

[hadi123]

You are free to believe what you want.

When he was an international cricketer, he wanted to play the full season in the ipl now when he can why would he opt when he's free the full season? He. Has enough rest in between each t20 tournament.

he chose not to play IPL as he wanted to spend time with his family. But then when IPL started, he was doing commentary. He came back to England once or twice during IPL. India and England are fairly far away and he went from England to India back to England back to India back to England back to India and then back to England. Lots of travelling and lots of air miles

 

[Bilal7]

They've literally had the likes of Duminy and Miller as a fixture in their ODI side for God knows how long and KP is easily better. At his prime, KP was easily good enough to be in the SA side. Across formats.

Not so sure about that happening in 2019 though. He can still take on lesser bowlers but don't know about him playing against high quality bowling at this stage of his career.

Miller is a recent addition and arguably is better than an over the hill KP. However, you're right. He's definitely better than some of the passengers South Africa has carried.

1) Amla
2) Smith/de Kock
3) Kallis/Faf
4) KP
5) ABD
6) Duminy/Miller
7) Boucher/Morris

Pretty great lineup.

 

[super hitter]

KP is one of the most luxury players on the field...IPL is just a nothing league in front of him.

Still better than most of the CHOKERS XI

 

[Stewie]

KP is an example of what happens to talent when the focus is on T20s especially domestic competitions.

As long as he played international cricket for England, he was a top player in the world and slowly but surely, he wasted away when IPL and other domestic leagues was all he had. Compare him with Misbah and Younis Khan who never matched his explosive caliber but even as they neared and went past their 40s they were gun players ... till they retired.

KP is 37 and he has been on the downward slope for last three years now. That's what NOT playing top bowling in international cricket does to you.

ABD is on a similar path.

 

[shaz619]

Miller is a recent addition and arguably is better than an over the hill KP. However, you're right. He's definitely better than some of the passengers South Africa has carried.

1) Amla
2) Smith/de Kock
3) Kallis/Faf
4) KP
5) ABD
6) Duminy/Miller
7) Boucher/Morris

Pretty great lineup.

Formidable line up, if Misbah featured in a WC at 41 why can't KP at 39 ?

 

[James]

Apparently KP can't even run for Surrey today, demanded to be picked despite a smashed ankle and so he was batting and getting someone to run for him. Eventually got out for a magnificent 4. LOL the return to international cricket is well under way then....

 

[shaz619]

Apparently KP can't even run for Surrey today, demanded to be picked despite a smashed ankle and so he was batting and getting someone to run for him. Eventually got out for a magnificent 4. LOL the return to international cricket is well under way then....

Why kick a man when he is down ? Remind us how he performed in the game before that and the bowlers in that line up injury woes aside since the "4 LOL" is being criticised.

 

[HitWicket]

Apparently KP can't even run for Surrey today, demanded to be picked despite a smashed ankle and so he was batting and getting someone to run for him. Eventually got out for a magnificent 4. LOL the return to international cricket is well under way then....

Didnt watch but aren't runners only allowed for injuries developed in the game being played? Bit dodgy y to let someone have a runner straight away when they didn't field at all in the previous game due to injury. I assume he didn't field at all today?

 

[Arsalan Pro]

Would love to see him play international cricket again, especially alongside AB.

 

[mak36]

Apparently KP can't even run for Surrey today, demanded to be picked despite a smashed ankle and so he was batting and getting someone to run for him. Eventually got out for a magnificent 4. LOL the return to international cricket is well under way then....

By his own admission, Nasser has criticised KP in the past but even he came to KP's defence on commentary. At the end of the day, KP passed a (very public) fitness test before the game. Sadly injuries still happen, it's called life. Rather than sitting on his millions he showed the desire/passion to play for Surrey, and wanted to do well. He showed how much cricket means to him, even now. He made a call on his fitness, and it ended up being the wrong decision. But I don't think that means he deserves the criticism you are directing his way- your spin on events is neither fair or accurate.

 

[mmkextreme_1]

That would be an interesting prospect, now the question is, would South Africa pick him considering that he will 39 at the time?

With his condition in England conditions, would be a gun player if he stays fit and playing. Should continue to play county cricket, and then join a domestic team in the South African setup.

A lineup of Quinton De Kock, Amla, KP (at 3), De Villiers, Du Plessis. That would be a gun lineup.

 

[Lefthanded]

Even if KP started playing List A cricket in SA to convince selectors he's fit and not a serious injury risk in a World Cup match XI, I'm not sure he'd be welcome into a system he criticized and abandoned.

Not sure if any top ODI side would risk losing a batsman during a World Cup match.

Aside from the obvious, no longer fit enough to play 50 overs cricket.

A younger KP would have been the big match player that the chokers have always desperately needed. That's what separates him from the likes of greats like AB, Amla, etc who haven't stepped up as match winners when most needed.

In the past ten years too many treasures of the game have been robbed by boards of their last years when they still were the best players in their countries.

e.g. Yousuf at his peak in Tests, Lara turning the back the clock to his best after blistering hundreds against Pakistan, KP etc.

Wish it wasn't true, but obviously there's no coming back at this point.

 

[backfootpunch]

Still good enough to play for South Africa. South African batting besides Amla and AB is very over rated.

I agree - majority of the posters here have no idea that he's more than good enough to play for SA.

 

[backfootpunch]

Formidable line up, if Misbah featured in a WC at 41 why can't KP at 39 ?

Misbah shouldn't have been anywhere near the ODI team, it should have been curtains after that disgraceful innings in Mohali!

 

[James]

If he gets past the increasingly ridiculous quota system this time!!