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New Delhi: Voices in favour of maverick batsman Kevin Pietersen grew louder after the batsman compiled a knock of 66 runs off 44 balls in the Big Bash League.
Pietersen, who plays for Melbourne Stars finally struck form after not having played much cricket and a barren spell in the Indian Premier League. The 34-year-old scored two fours and four sixes in his innings against the Adelaide Strikers.
After he was unceremoniously sacked by the England and Wales Cricket Board, a storm has been brewing in English cricket circles whether or not Pietersen should be going to the World Cup.
After a poor showing in Sri Lanka, where England lost 2-5, pressure has been mounting over Alastair Cook to step down especially since he has not been scoring runs. However, the management remains defiant and seem to be backing Cook, who clearly is short on confidence.
Backers and admirers of Pietersen believe he still has plenty of cricket left in him and that he deserves a place in the England ODI set up especially since the World Cup is around the corner.
That contingent felt vindicated when the South Africa-born batsman played an explosive knock in the BBL. Some of them took to micro-blogging site Twitter to express their sentiments and take pot-shots at the England cricket establishment.
It now remains to be seen if the national selectors give in to the pressure from sections of fans, former players and media to bring back England’s highest ever runscorer across all formats ahead of the World Cup.
