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'Brilliant, exciting and flawed' - Telegraph readers react to Kevin Pietersen's retirement
Kevin Pietersen has decided to call time on his 17-year first-class career - just over four years since he played his last game for England.
"Boots up! Thank you," Pietersen tweeted in a short retirement message. "Just been told that I scored 30000+ runs which included 152 fifty’s & 68 hundreds in my professional career. Time to move on!"
Reaction to his decision to retire has encapsulated just how divisive a cricketer Pietersen was.
The South African-born batsman was banished from the England set up in 2014 after then captain Andrew Strauss cited 'massive trust issues' between the pair.
Despite renewed calls for the batsman to be reintegrated into the team, Pietersen never featured again for England, ending his international career with a record of 13,797 runs and 32 hundreds across all formats of the game.
Here's how news of KP's retirement was received.
Harry Flashman
Truth to say my interest in Test cricket has waned since KP stopped playing for England.
He was a brilliant player, exciting to watch and occasionally a little flawed. But so what?
Sport needs characters, not robots! Anyway thanks KP for years of entertainment and good luck, completely behind you in your new endeavour to save wildlife!
Dougie Wilson
Thanks for the effort and runs along with the winning mentality you brought to the England side.
All the best for you and your family in the new venture and the future.
Arthur Nowr
The fact is Pietersen was a fantastic cricketer who gave great service to English cricket and for this he should be commended.
But was he a fantastically brilliant cricketer who helped England win many test matches? Yes - he was. He was a world-class cricket not a paragon of virtue man.
Andrew Flintoff (former England all-rounder)
Didn’t know you were still playing! Congratulations on an amazing career.
Thank you for having a positive impact on mine too, that’s the last time I’m being nice to you
Lesley Smith
Come on KP we need you playing Test cricket - now!! We don't care who for!! Cricket needs you!
Paul McKenna
Sadly, Pieterson was never anything more than a self-promoting prima donna. Moments of inspired batting, offset by tantrums and petulance.
It took the ECB far too long to realise it, and act.
Michael Vaughan (former England captain and Telegraph columnist)
Not everyone’s cup of tea but you will do for me. ‘Best batsman I had the pleasure to play with and the first England batsman that put fear into the Aussies.
Mark Jackson
Thanks for the memories KP, the best England batsman since Barrington. Good luck in your new career!
