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Pietersen retires from all non-Test internationals

Kevin Pietersen played 127 ODIs for England © Getty Images

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England batsman Kevin Pietersen has announced his retirement from all forms of international limited-overs cricket with immediate effect.

The Test selectors will still be able to call on him in future, with the third Test against West Indies upcoming and a crucial series against South Africa to follow later this summer.

Pietersen, 31, played 127 One Day Internationals for England and 36 Twenty20 Internationals, and was renowned for his aggressive style of batting.

He made his England debut in the 50-over format in October 2004 against Zimbabwe, scoring an unbeaten 27. He went on to average 41.86 in ODIs, scoring nine centuries and 23 half-centuries, and 37.93 in T20Is, with seven half-centuries.

Pietersen said: "After a great deal of thought and deliberation, I am today announcing my retirement from international one-day cricket. With the intensity of the international schedule and the increasing demands on my body, approaching 32, I think it is the right time to step aside and let the next generation of players come through to gain experience for the ICC World Cup in 2015."

The ECB insists that anyone who makes themself unavailable for selection for ODIs will not be eligible for T20Is (and vice-versa) - and Pietersen says he would have played at the ICC World Twenty20 had that policy not been in place.

"I am immensely proud of my achievements in the one-day game, but still wish to be considered for selection for England in Test cricket," he said. "For the record, were the selection criteria not in place, I would have readily played for England in the upcoming ICC World Twenty20."

Pietersen's current contract will run through to September 2012, before being downgraded to reflect his limited international availability. He discussed his position with the ECB during the first Test against West Indies at Lord's.

Hugh Morris, the managing director of England Cricket, said: "ECB is disappointed by the timing of Kevin's decision less than four months before we defend our ICC World Twenty20 title. Kevin is a world-class player and I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his efforts and we look forward to his continued contributions to the Test-match side."

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