Kevin Pietersen offers his services to play against his former national team in a warm-up tie before tri-series
Melbourne Stars' Kevin Pietersen during the Big Bash League match against Melbourne Renegades at the MCG on Saturday. Pic/Getty Images
Melbourne: Kevin Pietersen has offered his services to play against England during their tour of Australia next week.
Melbourne Stars' Kevin Pietersen during the Big Bash League match against Melbourne Renegades at the MCG on Saturday. Pic/Getty Images
England are due to face a Prime Minister's XI in Canberra on Wednesday as a warm-up to the tri-series against India and Australia, and Pietersen said he was keen to replace Mike Hussey, who has been forced to withdraw with a calf injury.
ADVERTISEMENT
"In the Prime Minister's game on Wednesday, Mr Michael Hussey's missed out. Jeez, I fancy that," Pietersen said on the players' mic while playing for Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash, screened by Sky Sports 2.
Commentator Adam Gilchrist, the former Australia wicketkeeper, asked: "Are you telling us you're available?" Pietersen replied: "Mate, I'm always available."
As if to prove a point, Pietersen went on to hit a run-a-ball 49 in his team's nail-biting victory over the Melbourne Renegades on Saturday.
Andrew Flintoff, who is playing for Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash, responded to Pietersen's comments on Twitter.
"If @KP24 plays for the primeministers XI they'll need a turnstile at the bowlers end, they'll be queuing up," he tweeted.
Earlier, in an interview with Australian media to preview the Stars' game against the Renegades, Pietersen repeated his criticism of former international colleagues, suggesting he was the victim of professional jealousy.
The 34-year-old was sacked by England almost a year ago, but has been on hand with regular barbs ever since a confidentiality agreement between the two parties expired.
Pietersen supposedly covets an unlikely Three Lions recall, but the South African-born batsman again used the press conference as a chance to settle scores with his former team-mates.
He claimed his lucrative Indian Premier League contract caused resentment and he prefered playing in the BBL, where many players participate in franchise cricket in other countries.
'Jealousy in England'
"There's no jealousy here. That's the fact," he said of life with the Stars. "None of these guys are jealous of anything. We're just good guys, hanging out and playing cricket.
All these guys play in franchises around the world, they've all benefited from the IPL.
"The England lads — too much jealousy. I was the only one profiting very, very well out of India and in an auction, if you don't get picked, it's pretty demoralising."
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
