22 Jun 2013

Kevin Pietersen admits mistakes

8:28 am on 22 June 2013

Kevin Pietersen admits he made mistakes over the incident that led to his being dropped by England cricket authorities on disciplinary grounds last season.

The former England captain Pietersen returned to competitive cricket after three months out with a right knee problem by playing for Surrey in a four-day match away to Yorkshire.

He marked the occasion by giving a radio interview to former England team-mate Darren Gough broadcast while he fielded at Headingley.

It was at the Leeds ground, where having made a superb Test hundred against his native South Africa, Pietersen gave a press conference where he said "it's tough being me in this dressing room".

He was then dropped from the Test side amid reports he'd sent provocative messages to South Africa players, some reportedly critical of then England captain Andrew Strauss, and omitted from the World Twenty20 squad before being accepted back into the side across all formats.

Pietersen told Gough that he probably didn't go about it in the best fashion and has taken it on the chin.

Pietersen is now in line to play in the second Twenty20 against New Zealand at The Oval on Thursday.

He is set to play for England in the Ashes warm-up against Essex before the first Test against Australia on July 10.

The 32-year-old is keen to become fully involved with England again, saying he felt awkward visiting the dressing room as an injured player.