Thaindian News

London, Oct 8 (IANS) England star batsman Kevin Pietersen insists he has no intention of quitting 50-over cricket and is fully committed to playing the 2015 World Cup.

The 31-year-old, who had a lean two years in the 50-over format, was rested for the ODIs after playing a significant part in England’s 4-0 Test series whitewash of India in the summer.

Pietersen has now returned for the reverse tour to India and feels the break revived his hunger for the ODI cricket.

“I don’t know how many times I need to say it till you stop asking the questions. I want to continue playing until the 2015 World Cup, and then we’ll reassess,” Pietersen was quoted as saying in Skysports.

“Look, I want to play all three forms of the game for England … I’ve said that many times. It’s a case of, when England are playing international cricket, I want to be there.

“There’s a lot of different permutations and different things that can happen. No one’s ever guaranteed their place - for their country, for their club side.”

Pietersen said he did not mind the break, which he used to move house in London and spend time with his family.

“That’s the first break I’ve had without an injury for England. It was much appreciated,” he said. “The hardest part of playing all three forms of the game is turning up on training day and doing warm-ups - I think it takes a couple of years off your career.

“To not have to turn up to training days was an absolute blessing. But you do miss the cricket, participating and competing - because we’re all competitors.”

Pietersen is ready to battle for his place in a developing team and is likely to get his place at No.4.

“It’s nice to be back doing some hard work. There’s a lot of competition for places,” he said.

“If there’s any place you want to come and play one-day international cricket, it’s here in India.

“For the youngsters it’s brilliant, and for us old men it’s great to be back - it re-energises you.”

Pietersen practiced with strapping on his painful left wrist, but is confident it is a minor problem which he and England’s medical staff can manage.

“I’ve got something in my wrist,” he said. “I had a cortisone injection a few days ago, and cortisone just before I left.

“It’s just a case of getting through this tour and seeing where we are at the end.”