Kevin Pietersen issues a message for modern-day cricketers concerning Test cricket

Pietersen’s message was directed towards those England players, who recently signed a limited-overs deal with their county sides.

Kevin Pietersen has played 104 Tests played for England | Getty

Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen on Saturday (March 3) issued a very significant message for all the contemporary cricketers around the world. Pietersen, who has represented England in 104 Tests, insisted that Test cricket still remains the ultimate benchmark and anyone turning his back from it is only doing harm to himself.

Taking to micro-blogging site Twitter, KP wrote: “Cricketers, just remember that when you take your whites off, your value decreases significantly. Owners still value Test cricket. The longer form shows true character! So if you have the chance to still play in whites, DO IT!”

The major rationale behind Pietersen’s tweet is that some of the England internationals recently signed a lucrative deal with their respective county sides, as per which they will only participate in limited-overs cricket. Adil Rashid, Alex Hales and Reece Topley are the three English cricketers who have opted to not feature in red-ball cricket this season.

Later last month, Pietersen had expressed his concern over the future of Test cricket. He had claimed that 5-day game will survive only in England, South Africa, India, Pakistan and Australia in the in the next ten years.

Predicting the future of other countries including West Indies, New Zealand and Sri Lanka, the 37-year-old had opined they will continue to have ‘white ball cricketers’.

“Here we go - in 10yrs the only cricket Test playing nations will be, England, SA, India, Pakistan & Australia. The rest will all be white ball cricketers! Just remember this tweet!” KP had written on his official Twitter page on February 19.

 

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 04 Mar, 2018

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