Pietersen hints at limited-overs return

LONDON - Kevin Pietersen has suggested he could reverse his decision to retire from limited-overs cricket for England.The 31-year-old Test batsman retired from representing England in the shorter formats of international cricket in May.“I’ve said before that, if the schedule was right, I would love to play for another three or four years in all forms of cricket,” he said. “But the schedule is a nightmare. I hope something can be sorted out.”Asked if talks with the England and Wales Cricket Board about his limited overs future had begun, he replied: “I think so.”Pietersen had initially wanted to quit 50-over cricket only and continue with Twenty20, but the terms of ECB central contracts prevent players picking and choosing their formats so he has only played Test matches this summer.Speaking after he struck an unbeaten 234 from 190 balls for Surrey against reigning County Championship Division One champions Lancashire, the South African-born player reiterated his desire to feature in England’s World Twenty20 title defence later this year.But England must meet an International Cricket Council deadline of 18 July to name their initial 30-man squad for the tournament in Sri Lanka in September.And if he does return, Pietersen could face an even busier schedule than over the past year.Following the Test series against South Africa, there are a further five one-day internationals and three Twenty20 matches against the tourists.England then kick-off their winter tour in India with four Tests before a further five ODIs. And they have a similarly gruelling schedule in New Zealand before the Kiwis arrive in England in May for a series of matches before the Ashes begin in July.