'I'm training hard so I won't be doing any alcohol binges'
Jenny Thompson speaks to Kevin Pietersen
29-Apr-2005
England's newest batsman Kevin Pietersen is not backward in coming forward with his views on everything from selection to his native South Africa. And on the day he finally qualifies for England, Jenny Thompson found him in typically buoyant mood:
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After waiting so long to qualify for England, how did you feel when you heard you had been selected for England's tour of Zimbabwe?
It's special. Very special. It's every person's dream to play for your country. It's an honour and a privilege, and hopefully I can take the opportunity with both hands.
It's special. Very special. It's every person's dream to play for your country. It's an honour and a privilege, and hopefully I can take the opportunity with both hands.
Given that some England players have refused to travel to Zimbabwe, do you have any reservations about going on tour there?
Not at all. I'm going to play cricket, and that's my job and that's what I will do.
Not at all. I'm going to play cricket, and that's my job and that's what I will do.
You finally qualify for England today. How will you be celebrating?
I'm training as hard as anything, so I won't be doing any alcohol binges. I will be going out for a meal.
I'm training as hard as anything, so I won't be doing any alcohol binges. I will be going out for a meal.
You chose to play for England instead of your native South Africa, but do you believe you would have made the current South Africa side?
I don't know. I am where I am with England because of hard work and determination, and merit selection, and I don't know where I would be with South Africa. I could be, I couldn't be ... but at least I know with England.
I don't know. I am where I am with England because of hard work and determination, and merit selection, and I don't know where I would be with South Africa. I could be, I couldn't be ... but at least I know with England.
I just laugh when stuff gets said to me. It's the best way
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What do you see as your role in England's one-day team?
I've been told I will replace Andrew Flintoff. Freddie bats at No. 5, and I wouldn't be surprised to be chucked in the middle order. I'm not sure what they want, but I'm not really fussed. Whichever role they want for me, I will slip in to.
I've been told I will replace Andrew Flintoff. Freddie bats at No. 5, and I wouldn't be surprised to be chucked in the middle order. I'm not sure what they want, but I'm not really fussed. Whichever role they want for me, I will slip in to.
Would you like to bat with Freddie?
Most definitely. It would be exciting - but, again, it's a case of biding my time and hopefully things will happen.
Most definitely. It would be exciting - but, again, it's a case of biding my time and hopefully things will happen.
You said recently that you've been called "all names under the sun in the middle". Why do you think this happens to you?
I take it as a respect thing. It's a case of, if people run in and just bowl to you and they think "We're going to get him out and we don't need to get him out" ... but if they do earmark you, and they try to ruffle you up, then that's respect. They found it easy to say "Why did you leave South Africa?" - but it's pretty boring nowadays. So I just laugh when stuff gets said to me. It's the best way.
I take it as a respect thing. It's a case of, if people run in and just bowl to you and they think "We're going to get him out and we don't need to get him out" ... but if they do earmark you, and they try to ruffle you up, then that's respect. They found it easy to say "Why did you leave South Africa?" - but it's pretty boring nowadays. So I just laugh when stuff gets said to me. It's the best way.
Are you ready to step up to the Test arena?
The Test side is doing brilliantly and they're gelling well. I think it's a lot more difficult to get into the side these days, which is a good thing for English cricket, and it's a question of making the hard work pay.
The Test side is doing brilliantly and they're gelling well. I think it's a lot more difficult to get into the side these days, which is a good thing for English cricket, and it's a question of making the hard work pay.
Do you think you will make the Ashes side next year?
Hey! I'm no selector, but I would like to play in the Ashes, as everyone else would like to. I will just have to keep fielding well, playing well and going in a winning team.
Hey! I'm no selector, but I would like to play in the Ashes, as everyone else would like to. I will just have to keep fielding well, playing well and going in a winning team.
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How did you feel not to have made the England team for this winter's tour of South Africa?
I'm disappointed, but I know there are a few people ahead of me at this stage and it's a case of batting well, scoring loads of runs and putting my hand up for selection by doing well in the middle. It was very, very disappointing to miss out - but such is life. In life, there are a lot of highs and lows. You have to get on with it and I'm a positive person. It's about proving myself to people.
I'm disappointed, but I know there are a few people ahead of me at this stage and it's a case of batting well, scoring loads of runs and putting my hand up for selection by doing well in the middle. It was very, very disappointing to miss out - but such is life. In life, there are a lot of highs and lows. You have to get on with it and I'm a positive person. It's about proving myself to people.
So, what have been your highs and lows?
Hmm, highs ... being selected for England is a huge, huge honour, and it represents the height of my career. Getting my first call-up is a huge buzz and it's really special. Coming over and playing in England was a high. Just to play county cricket and to put my commitment down to England, that was a pretty big decision, and one I've not looked back on. Lows ... not too many. I'm fortunate enough not to have too many lows. I had a fantastic season two seasons ago, but I had an incident at Trent Bridge which didn't go down too well. Then, obviously not being selected for the South African tour was disappointing, but I have to look ahead and put my hand up and take opportunities again.
Hmm, highs ... being selected for England is a huge, huge honour, and it represents the height of my career. Getting my first call-up is a huge buzz and it's really special. Coming over and playing in England was a high. Just to play county cricket and to put my commitment down to England, that was a pretty big decision, and one I've not looked back on. Lows ... not too many. I'm fortunate enough not to have too many lows. I had a fantastic season two seasons ago, but I had an incident at Trent Bridge which didn't go down too well. Then, obviously not being selected for the South African tour was disappointing, but I have to look ahead and put my hand up and take opportunities again.
And how is your relationship with Nottinghamshire now?
Fine, it's all good. They wished me well, and I wish them success. I hope they achieve what they want.
Fine, it's all good. They wished me well, and I wish them success. I hope they achieve what they want.
And how does it feel to have signed for Hampshire?
It feels very good. I'm thrilled to bits, chuffed and I feel excitement, enthusiasm and passion. I can't wait to play alongside Shane Warne. He's said some kind words, and the club have. It's a case of me gelling with the team and hopefully getting some silverware for them.
It feels very good. I'm thrilled to bits, chuffed and I feel excitement, enthusiasm and passion. I can't wait to play alongside Shane Warne. He's said some kind words, and the club have. It's a case of me gelling with the team and hopefully getting some silverware for them.
Jenny Thompson is assistant editor of Wisden Cricinfo.