Extraordinarily, Pietersen claims he still wants to play for England even though he made no attempt to play any first-class cricket for Surrey last summer and did not reach 60 in any Twenty20 innings in three competitions all year.
‘I know my issues are not just with the captain but with the board,' he said. ‘If that changes — and I believe it could in the next few months — then I really believe I could play for England again.
‘The reason is that I honestly, 100 per cent believe I could I can help the youngsters and I believe I can help Cooky get better. I said to Andy Flower in that Ashes series, please, whenever you speak to Cooky, if he needs my help I'll help him. I'm incredibly passionate about English cricket. I always want England to win.'