But new England director of cricket, and Pietersen’s former teammate, Strauss refused to offer him a place, citing a “massive trust issue” as the reason behind his omission.
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“He had a decision to make, he made his decision and it’s turned out absolutely fine: England won the Ashes“, Pietersen said at a Sport Industry Group breakfast in London.
Pietersen added Strauss had done some “brilliant” things – including inviting former players such as Sir Ian Botham and Alec Stewart to address his squad.
The 3-2 victory over Australia appears to have ended any hopes of England’s all-time leading run-scorer across all formats returning to the global scene.
The animosity between Strauss and Pietersen stretches back to the 2012 series against South Africa, when Pietersen was dropped for the third Test after apparently sending abusive text messages about his captain to the South African team. “I love seeing England win”.
It was a decision which did not go down well with Pietersen, or his many advocates.
Reports had suggested that Strauss would allow Pietersen to return to the fold, despite stinging criticism aimed at the previous England regime in his autobiography, but the 35-year-old has been told he is not required. I have some real close buddies in that side and seeing them do the business was something that made me happy.
“At the time I thought it was ridiculous, it was nonsense to leave me out”. If that can’t happen then I will just keep plying my trade anywhere I can over the next few years, ‘ he said.
“I went there with a lot of positivity and left with quite a bit of negativity”, Pietersen said to a smattering of laughter. “I can’t be with Test cricket”. I’m living my life. I am so positive.
“I am buzzing that England won and I am not looking back to the meeting in May thinking “oh goodness, things could have been so different”.
In the 10 games he played for the St Lucia Zouks in the 2015 Caribbean Premier League, Pietersen managed to score 295 runs at an average of 32.77 with two fifties to his name.
“I think Test cricketers need to be paid more”.
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When asked whether he’s passionate about playing in the lucrative Twenty20 format, Pietersen responded with a smile: “I have to be”.
