RSWS: Kevin Pietersen announces his availability to the national selectors
Kevin Pietersen, on Tuesday, turned back the clock with a scintillating knock in the ongoing Road Safety World Series as England Legends beat India Legends in a thriller in Raipur. Leading the side, the 40-year old came up with a captain’s knock to help England Legends register their second consecutive win in the competition. England’s win meant India Legends suffered their first loss in the four games they have played in the tournament so far.
India’s decision to bowl first turned out to a wrong one as Pietersen took the Indian bowlers to the cleaners. The former England batsman reached his fifty off just 18 balls and went on to score 75 off just 37 balls to guide his team to a big total of 188 for 7. Pietersen’s knock was laced with six fours and five sixes.
Apart from him, only one England batsman – Darren Maddy (29), managed to cross the 20-run mark. For India Legends, Yusuf Pathan picked up three wickets while Irfan Pathan and Munaf Patel picked up two wickets each. With the bat, India were off to a disastrous start and were reeling at 56 for 5 at one stage.
Later, they were reduced to 119 for 7 in the 16th over. They were looking set for a big loss but Irfan had other ideas. The former India all-rounder and fast-bowler Manpreet Gony turned the game on its head with a stunning counterassault. They nearly took the team over the line as India Legends fell short by just runs and finished on 182 for 7.
Pathan was the star with the bat, slamming an unbeaten 61 off just 35 balls and shared an unbeaten stand of 63 runs with Gony who remained not out on 35. For England Legends, left-arm spinner Monty Panesar starred with the ball, taking 3 for just 15 off his four overs.
Kevin Pietersen’s message for England selectors:
Buoyed by the performance against India Legends, Kevin Pietersen gave the England selectors a message ahead of the T20I series between India and England. Taking a cheeky dig at England’s humiliating 1-3 defeat in the recently-concluded Test series against India, Pietersen told the selectors he and other members of the England Legend squad are still available for selection.
Here is the post from Kevin Pietersen:
View this post on Instagram
