Johannesburg – Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen is set to play in the domestic T20 Challenge, Cricket SA CEO Haroon Lorgat hinted on Tuesday evening.
At the launch of the competition in Johannesburg, Lorgat was asked about international players committing to playing for the local franchises and inferred Pietersen would play for one of the teams.
“Other names are Darren Sammy, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, and there was one that visited our shores this weekend to play in some other format that we're close to securing as well,” said Lorgat, referring to Pietersen, who was in South Africa over the weekend to play in a local Cricket Sixes tournament.
“I think he released a book recently, or the book released him recently,” Lorgat jokingly referred to Pietersen's recently released book titled “KP the autobiography”.
On the question of Pietersen having turned his back on South Africa in the past, Lorgat said the England international cricketer was young at the time when he left the country.
Lorgat said only world-class players should be considered for the tournament and mentioned Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara.
“They must be phenomenal players – names like, and unfortunately Sangakarra, is now committed to go and play in India,” he said.
“But he was signed and sealed and on his way to play in the competition.”
Lions player Neil McKenzie confirmed his side had been close to signing Sangakkara before the deal fell through.
McKenzie said Sangakkara would have been a replacement for Quinton de Kock who would be away with the Proteas on their tour of Australia in November. – Sapa