KP comes to terms with England snub

England

Kevin Pietersen was thrilled to see England reclaim the Ashes this summer and accepts their performance went some way to vindicating his own exile.

Pietersen began the season with the door seemingly ajar for an unlikely recall to the Test set-up following conciliatory comments from new England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Colin Graves.

But when Pietersen's former captain Andrew Strauss was appointed as managing director, his first move was to rule out a comeback for the controversial 35-year-old.

It was a decision which did not go down well with Pietersen, or his many advocates.

But an impressive summer from the national side, including a 3-2 series win over Australia to bring home the urn, has taken the issue somewhat off the agenda.

And, speaking at the Sports Industry Breakfast Club, Pietersen said: "Absolutely it seems to be the right decision at the moment.

"I didn't find it hard [to watch] at all. I love seeing England win.

"I have some real close buddies in that side and seeing them do the business was something that made me happy. Seeing those guys play so well and just seeing the structure and the way it has developed makes me so happy."

With England now in his past, Pietersen's future is primarily in domestic Twenty20 competitions – with a contract at the Pakistan Super League his latest undertaking.

Despite that, he cannot hide his affinity for the longer form.

"Twenty20 cricket is here to stay, the game brings in a whole different audience to the sport, but I love Test cricket," he said.

"We owe it to the great game to speak positively about Test cricket. It's an amazing part of what we do and it's the thing I miss most about the game.

"The art of that first morning, that first half an hour of a Test match. That hour before end of play. It's all so fascinating. You don't get that in any other version."

"Test cricketers should get paid more, they need to know they are being looked after. With the lures of franchise cricket, we need to protect the game. Test matches should be the pinnacle.

"I would love to play Test cricket. If that can't happen then I will just keep plying my trade anywhere I can over the next few years."

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