Pietersen declines ICL

Kevin Pietersen, the talismanic England batsman, has rejected the Indian Cricket League (ICL), having been offered a lucrative contract to become its latest big name signing.

The ICL is taking shape as a rebel tournament, having not been sanctioned by any of the world’s cricket boards. The BCCI has openly criticized the league and has since instituted the Indian Premier League, which will be a global Twenty20 tournament, featuring players from domestic teams around the world.

Pietersen has declined both leagues, placing his role for England ahead of any financial considerations. “It would be ridiculous for me to put my England career in jeopardy after all the work I have put in,” he told News of the World.

Pietersen referred to the leagues as a “no-go area” at the present time, but did not rule out his participation in future. Looking ahead to England’s tour of Sri Lanka, Pietersen revealed that he was supporting Australia in their ongoing thrashing of the Sri Lankan tourists. “The Aussies are playing Sri Lanka in a Test series at present and could do us a real favour by knocking the Sri Lankans’ confidence before we play them,” he said. “It would be great if their batsmen came into our three-Test series struggling for form.