HAVE YOUR SAY: Pietersen hints at Test exit amid dressing-room discontent

In a dramatic press conference at Headingley cricket ground, 
Pietersen said “it’s tough being me” in the dressing room and said the final Test at Lord’s on Thursday week could be his swansong.

Pietersen, named man of the match for his brilliant 149 and career-best figures of 3-52 in the second Test at Leeds, refused to confirm categorically why he is ready to turn his back on England.

But in addition to his desire to play a full season of Indian Premier League cricket next year, his frustration at not being allowed to play international Twenty20 cricket following his retirement from one-day internationals and his wish to spend more time with his family, Pietersen said there were “a lot of other issues that need sorting”, saying only that “it will all become a lot clearer after the Lord’s Test”.

Pietersen appeared to suggest the principal problem was between himself and his team-mates, stating that “it’s tough being me in this dressing…” before cutting short the sentence.

Pietersen added that “playing for England is tough… we’ll have to wait and see.”

Pietersen, 32, has had problems with colleagues throughout his thrilling if turbulent career.

He was actively disliked in the Nottinghamshire dressing room when he first arrived in England in 2001, captain Jason Gallian famously throwing his kit bag over the Trent Bridge balcony.

Pietersen also had difficulties at Hampshire and has endured a troubled relationship with the England hierarchy, which stripped him of the England captaincy in 2009 following his bust-up with former coach Peter Moores.

Pietersen’s hundred at Headingley, which improved his career record to 7,076 runs in 88 Tests at 49.48, was widely acclaimed one of his finest and cemented his status as one of England’s greatest post-war batsmen.

He admitted it would be “a huge shame” if he quit Tests.

“For me, the saddest part about all this is that the spectators just love watching me play,” he added.

“I love playing for England, but the politics is what I have to deal with personally.”

Pietersen stressed his discontent is not financial.

“It’s absolutely, 100 per cent not about money,” he said. This is not a money issue.”

Petersen cryptically added that he is “going to make some decisions that will make me very happy”.

He also said he expected to be picked for the Lord’s Test, dismissively declaring: “I hope so.”

England captain Andrew Strauss, who refused to be drawn on Pietersen’s remarks, suggested the player would still be selected.

“He seemed to play pretty well this week,” said Strauss. “Kevin is an unbelievable player and I’ve long since stopped trying to guess how he’s going to play the next time; as he showed this week, he’s in great form.”

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Headingley Test peters out into a draw: Page 19.