Kevin Pietersen Biography - Career, Life, Wife

Kevin Pietersen Biography

Kevin Pietersen is a former English cricketer, known for his aggressive style of play and his ability to dominate the opposition bowlers. He was born on June 27, 1980, in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, and his family moved to England when he was a teenager.

Early Life and Career

Pietersen attended Maritzburg College, where he excelled at cricket and played for the Natal under-19s. In 1997, he moved to England with his family and continued his cricketing career at Cannock Cricket Club in Staffordshire. He soon caught the attention of the cricketing community in England, and he was offered a place at Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club.

Pietersen made his debut for Nottinghamshire in 2001, and his performances in domestic cricket earned him a call-up to the England squad in 2004. He made his debut in international cricket against Zimbabwe and scored 27 runs in his first innings.

International Career

Pietersen's breakthrough came in the 2005 Ashes series against Australia, where he scored his maiden Test century in the fifth Test at The Oval. He followed it up with another century in the first Test of the 2006-07 Ashes series in Australia. Pietersen played a crucial role in England's historic Ashes victory in 2005 and was named the Player of the Series.

Pietersen's aggressive style of play, combined with his ability to read the game, made him a vital cog in the England team. He scored 8,181 runs in 104 Test matches, with an average of 47.28, including 23 centuries and 35 half-centuries. Pietersen also scored 4,440 runs in 136 One Day Internationals (ODIs), with an average of 40.73, including 9 centuries and 25 half-centuries.

Pietersen was also a part of the England team that won the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 in the West Indies. He was named the Player of the Tournament for his outstanding performances, scoring 248 runs in the tournament at an average of 62.

Controversies

Despite his success on the field, Pietersen was no stranger to controversies. In 2012, he was dropped from the England team after sending derogatory text messages about his teammates to the South African team during a series in England. He was eventually reinstated after apologizing to his teammates and the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Pietersen was also involved in a public spat with the then-England captain Andrew Strauss, which led to his exclusion from the team in 2013. He announced his retirement from international cricket in 2014, citing a breakdown in his relationship with the ECB as the reason for his decision.

Post-Retirement Career

Pietersen continued to play domestic cricket around the world after his retirement from international cricket. He played for Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League, Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League, and St Lucia Stars in the Caribbean Premier League.

In 2018, Pietersen announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. He has since turned his attention to commentary and punditry and is a regular fixture on cricket broadcasts around the world.

Personal Life

Pietersen is married to former Liberty X singer Jessica Taylor, and the couple has three children together. He is also an avid golfer and has competed in several pro-am tournaments around the world.

Conclusion

Kevin Pietersen will be remembered as one of the greatest cricketers to have played for England. His aggressive style of play, combined with his ability to read the game, made him a feared opponent for opposition teams. Although he was no stranger to controversies, Pietersen's contributions to English cricket cannot be denied, and he played a key role in England's success during his time on the team.

Off the field, Pietersen has also been involved in various philanthropic activities. In 2013, he founded the Kevin Pietersen Foundation, which aims to help underprivileged children around the world. The foundation has raised significant funds for various causes, including education and wildlife conservation.

Pietersen's legacy in cricket is secure, and his aggressive style of play has influenced a generation of cricketers. His ability to adapt to different formats of the game and perform at the highest level makes him one of the most versatile cricketers to have played for England.