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Kevin Pietersen was born in South Africa on 27 June 1980 and continues the long tradition of foreign players playing for England. His perfect timing and courage on the cricket field were things that got him a huge fanbase. He is regarded as one of the greatest English cricketers of all time for his impact during this very short period, which is still recognised. That said, let's look at the interesting facts about Kevin Pietersen.
He emerged as a well-known spokesman for the cause, especially in South Africa. In 2018, he opened Umganu Lodge, an opulent resort on the edge of Kruger National Park. This reserve fulfils two roles: acting as a retreat centre and a place to spread awareness about South Africa's critically endangered animals. In addition, Kevin Pietersen founded the Austrian non-profit organisation Saving Our Rhinos Africa & India (SORAI), which supports the conservation of rhino populations.
At the young age of 17, Kevin Pietersen marked his debut in first-class cricket for Natal's B team in 1997. Initially starting as an off-spinner, he transitioned into a hard-hitting batsman due to limited bowling opportunities. Kevin faced off against Nasser Hussein's England, showcasing his prowess by delivering a remarkable innings of 61 runs from 57 balls while batting at the number 9 position. Additionally, Pietersen managed to take four wickets during the match.
He was born in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa to an English mother and an African father. Kevin moved to England in 2000 and joined Nottinghamshire after making his first-class debut in 1997. He cited South Africa's racial quota system as an obstacle in his cricketing career.
He deliberately opted out of the IPL, demonstrating his determination to stage his return to the England team. His Test career, especially in terms of his batting average and the number of hundreds he made, is a testament to his greatness. The South African-born batsman played 104 Test matches and hit 8181 runs at an amazing average of 47.28, smashing an incredible 23 hundred. With this extraordinary record, he is now recognised as one of the greatest English batsmen ever.
Kevin Pietersen actively competed in the 2003–04 Duleep Trophy while playing for England A. He put up a ruthless batting display against the South Zone attack that included S. Sreesanth, Sunil Joshi and Ramakrishnan Ramkumar, which was just one example of his exceptional performance during this competition. He dominated the field to the extent that veteran journalist Vijay Lokapally called him "the best batsman of this tournament".
Kevin Pietersen represented England in 104 Test matches during this time, scoring a total of 8181 runs at an excellent average of 47.28. He achieved this feat with 23 test sets and a maximum score of 227. Pietersen also played in 136 one-day internationals for England, scoring a total of 4440 runs at an average of 40.73, including 9 ODI hundreds and a highest score of 130.
KP continues to amaze his admirers with his ability on the field, whether you refer to him as a rebel fighter or a genius marred by problems off the field. He has arguably the best English performances of any English batsman currently. His outstanding tally of over 13,500 runs across all three formats in international cricket is a testament to his exceptional talent and adaptability.
FAQs
What is Kevin Pietersen’s age?
Born on 27th June 1980, KP is currently 43 years old.
What is Kevin Pietersen’s height?
Kevin Pietersen is above 6 feet and 3 inches tall.
What was the age of KP when he retired?
Kevin Pietersen retired at the age of 37.
