Geoffrey Boycott Opines Kevin Pietersen Would Have Played Longer Under One Condition

Former English captain, Kevin Pietersen’s career, came to an unceremonious end after the Ashes 2014 in Australia. In his final Test innings, Kevin Pietersen could only manage 3 and 6 in the first and second innings respectively. And many feel that Kevin Pietersen was made the scapegoat of the 5-0 Ashes loss in Australia when his career could have gone longer. Geoffrey Boycott feels the same and on his part if Michael Vaughan served as the skipper throughout Pietersen’s career.

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Kevin Pietersen made his Test debut for England during the Ashes 2005 series. It was at the iconic Lord’s Cricket ground during his first Test appearance itself that the South African-born earned respect as he was the only English batsmen to pass 50 across both innings but in a losing effort. But Vaughan captained the hosts to a series victory.

Nevertheless, the 38-year old could play only 104 Tests, 136 ODIs, and 37 T20Is for England. The particular statement from Geoffrey Boycott came on Kevin Pietersen’s birthday, which happened to fall on the 27th of June. Wishing the right-handed batsman, Boycott wrote in his official Twitter handle, “Happy 40th Birthday one of the best innings I ever saw by anybody was you in Mumbai, 2nd Test v India in 2012. 186 on a big turning pitch and after that @englandcricket won easily. Magic.”

Happy 40th Birthday @KP24 one of the best innings I ever saw by anybody was you in Mumbai, 2nd Test v India in 2012. 186 on a big turning pitch and after that @englandcricket won easily. Magic.

— Sir Geoffrey Boycott (@GeoffreyBoycott) June 27, 2020

The explosive knock of 186 against India in 2012 is arguably one of the best innings in sub-continent. In the four-match series, the Englishmen were down by 0-1 after a chastening defeat in Ahmedabad. In the second Test at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Kevin Pietersen clobbered 186 while captain Alastair Cook made 122 as England won the match and subsequently the series by 2-1.

Geoffrey Boycott feels Kevin Pietersen would have had less strife too:

The Yorkshire-born further said that had Vaughan been captain throughout Pietersen’s tenure, his relations with ECB would also have been amicable. The 104-Test veteran was not in fine terms with the England Cricket Board (ECB) due to his willingness to play in the IPL. He was the first English cricketer to receive a bid from an IPL franchise. Pietersen also had a tiff with Andrew Strauss.

“If @KP24 had @MichaelVaughan as his captain all his career he would have played a lot longer and better with less strife for @englandcricket.”

If @KP24 had @MichaelVaughan as his captain all his career he would have played a lot longer and better with less strife for @englandcricket https://t.co/mb8kJ5iVBR

— Sir Geoffrey Boycott (@GeoffreyBoycott) June 28, 2020