MELBOURNE: Former England player Kevin Pietersen has announced he will retire from all forms of cricket within the next 12 months.
Speaking to Australian media after his Melbourne Stars lost their fourth straight Big Bash League game, the Test great was asked whether he had given any thought about his return to the club for the following year, with his current contract expiring at the end of this season.
Pietersen was unequivocal in his response.
"I won't be playing next season," he said. "I'm done.” Pietersen said he made the decision recently. "You get to that time in your career when you think 'do I want this?'
"I want it desperately at the moment ... but I don't think I will want it in 10 months' time.
"I just don't see myself wanting to play cricket in December," he added.
Pietersen said he would carry out commitments in the Pakistan Super League and a Twenty20 tournament in South Africa later this year, but would be done by late 2018.
Kevin Pietersen to call time on playing career in 2018
Kevin Pietersen to call time on playing career in 2018
