Sky Sports is to look back at the explosive and compelling England career of Kevin Pietersen in a special programme.
To mark the end of his international career, Sky Sports will broadcast ‘Kevin Pietersen – The Great Innings’ at 8.30pm on Thursday, February 6, which will look back at some of his incredible knocks in an England shirt across all forms the game for the best of part of the last decade.
One of the most destructive batsmen of the modern era, Pietersen’s nine-year playing career with the national side was brought an end after he was left out of England’s future plans, beginning with the squad for the forthcoming ICC World Twenty20 and limited overs tour to the West Indies.
He was told by England’s senior management of their unanimous decision not to recall him for the trip to the Caribbean and the T20 tournament in Bangladesh.
The ECB’s decision, which has been met with a mixed reaction from cricket fans, journalists and former players, brings one of the most memorable international careers of recent times to what could end up being a very messy end.
Pietersen played 104 Test matches, 136 ODIs and 37 T20 Internationals for England in a career which started in November 2004 and finished with the fifth Ashes Test match in Sydney in early January.
The South African-born star went on to become England’s all-time leading run-scorer in all formats of the game.
His departure from the national set up follows on from Andy Flower’s decision to step down as team director.
The relationship between the two men filled many column inches in the newspapers during the recent humiliating Ashes whitewash.
In a statement, Pietersen said: “Playing cricket for my country has been an honour. Every time I pulled on the England shirt was a moment of huge pride for me and that is something that will live with me forever.
“Although I am obviously very sad the incredible journey has come to an end, I’m also hugely proud of what we, as a team, have achieved over the past nine years.
‘Kevin Pietersen – The Greatest Innings’ will be shown on Sky Sports 2 at 8.30pm on Thursday, February 6, repeated at 10.30am on Sunday, February 9, on Sky Sports 3.
Following the Sunday repeat, England fans will be invited to have their say on the ECB’s decision to drop Pietersen in a special edition of Sky’s cricket discussion show ‘The Verdict’.
‘Kevin Pietersen – The Verdict’ will be broadcast live from 12noon on Sky Sports 3, before its coverage of the South African Ram Slam T20 Final.
The 25-minute show will be presented by Charles Colvile with guests including former England fast bowlers Bob Willis and Steve Harmison, and the Sun’s cricket correspondent John Etheridge.
The panel will assess the growing fall-out from Pietersen’s dramatic exit from international cricket, including the reactions of players within the camp, examine how the whole affair has been handled and whether the ECB have reached the right decision.
Both programmes will also be available to Sky Sports customers via ‘On Demand’ and repeated several times during the Sky Sports schedules following its initial broadcasts.
Further reaction, video interviews and opinion from Sky experts on the end of Kevin Pietersen’s England career can be found via the Sky Sports cricket website.
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Thursday 6th February
Kevin Pietersen: The Greatest Innings
8.30pm-9.55pm Sky Sports 2
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Sunday 9th February
Kevin Pietersen: The Greatest Innings (rpt)
10.30am-12.00pm Sky Sports 3
Kevin Pietersen: The Verdict
LIVE: 12.00pm-12.25pm Sky Sports 3
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