'I was devastated to end my international career in the manner in which it happened'
'I can play with Alastair again. Likewise, of course I can play under Peter Moores'
Star batsman Kevin Pietersen says he has no issues playing under England Test captain Alastair Cook and coach Peter Moores as he prepares for a national recall by resuming county cricket at Surrey.
Pietersen was axed by the England and Wales Cricket Board last year, but chairman Colin Graves gave him hope when he suggested that a return to county cricket would enhance the batsman's chances of earning an England recall.
The 34-year-old, who has given up on his IPL contract to join Surrey, said he would like to have a fresh start.
“For 14 months it has been very painful to think I would never play for England again and my career had come to a sad, premature end. After all the wonderful days I enjoyed with England, the trophies we won and the runs I scored, I was devastated to end my international career in the manner in which it happened," Pietersen wrote in The Telegraph.
"But when I heard Colin Graves say that I would be considered for selection again if I play county cricket and score runs I realised I had the opportunity for a fresh start," he said.
"I will be meeting Mr Graves face to face. I think he is open to discussing drawing a line in the sand in terms of what's gone on. It is something I desperately want. A lot of people thought I would not be prepared to put in the hard yards and play county cricket but I will do anything to get that England cap back on my head."
'I never had any issues with Alastair Cook'
He clarified that he never had issues with Cook and Moores.
"A lot has been said about my book, but my side of the story had to come out. To make it clear, I never had any issues with Alastair Cook. I said in my book that I was disappointed he could not look me in the eye during that meeting but there is no issue with me.
"He is a nice guy. He is one of England's greatest ever cricketers. He has 25 Test hundreds. Of course I can play with Alastair again. Likewise, of course I can play under Peter Moores," he added.
Pietersen said even if he cannot make a comeback to the England team, he will be satisfied for having made a try at least.
"I have spent three weeks thinking about it and speaking to different people to work out the best decision. I always said this was not about money and I will be donating my full Surrey wage to my foundation.
"Even if this does not work out and I do not get back in the England team, I will at least end my career knowing I gave it another shot. I would kick myself for a long time if I walked away now without having a go," said the cricketer who has represented England in 104 Tests and 136 ODIs.
He said he would be happy to help the ECB in other ways even if he does not make a national comeback.
"I want to help English cricket going forward. My first choice would be to do that on the field playing for England, but if that does not happen then I would love to help in any other way possible.
"It would be great to help the ECB establish an English Premier League Twenty20 competition in the future and use the knowledge I have gained from playing in a lot of Twenty20 tournaments around the world.
"I know how they are run. I know the good stuff and the bad stuff. I also get on well with many of the best players in the world, the kind of guys we will need on board to make an EPL a success. I also want to help England get back to playing a brand of cricket that we have all missed over the past months.
'I have played so much T20 over the last 14 months that I know I can play that format'
He also thanked his IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad to let work for his England comeback.
"I also want to thank Tom Moody and Sunrisers Hyderabad for being so understanding and letting me take this chance to play four-day cricket for Surrey. Surrey are a great club and I have a great relationship with them. I did have offers from other counties but Surrey are close to my heart and Alec Stewart and Graham Ford have been very welcoming.
"I will start next week in pre-season training to prepare for our first four-day game in Cardiff on April 19. This is just a four-day deal initially because I want to concentrate on playing red ball cricket.
"I have played so much T20 over the last 14 months that I know I can play that format, but I now need to knuckle down and spend some time in four-day cricket. The way I batted in the Big Bash gave me real confidence and I feel I am playing as well as ever.
