Kevin Pietersen reportedly told he will not play for England by Andrew Strauss
Tuesday 12 May 2015 06:18, UK
Kevin Pietersen has been told by Andrew Strauss he will not be selected for England again, according to Sky sources.
Pietersen cracked a stunning 326no for Surrey at The Oval on Monday and speaking at the end of play, he reiterated to Sky Sports News his desire to play for England again.
"It's probably one of the best innings I've ever played," he said after beating his previous first-class best of 254.
"Not just because of the numbers but because of how important the timing is in what's happening with English cricket at the moment.
"I've always said I've a burning desire to play for England again and I know there's been a lot of change over the weekend. I'm desperate to play for England again, I want to play for England again and I want to play for England again soon."
But that dream looks to be over after meeting new England cricket director Strauss and ECB chief executive Tom Harrison on Monday night.
Pietersen has shared a strained relationship with Strauss since being dropped by England in 2012 over reports he sent derogatory text messages to South Africa players about the then-England captain.
After being reintegrated back into the side, he was then sacked by England in February 2014 after the Ashes series whitewash in Australia, only for managing director Paul Downton's departure to kick-start suggestions he could earn an unlikely recall.
But Strauss has moved quickly to end speculation ahead of his first news conference in his new role on Tuesday.
His next job is to find a permanent successor to Peter Moores, who was sacked last week. Paul Farbrace will take control for the two-Test series against New Zealand ahead of the Ashes later in the summer.
England will finalise their squad on Thursday to face New Zealand at Lord's in the first Investec Test next week.
