This week’s Indian Premier League auction was a great one for English cricketers, but former international Kevin Pietersen is not convinced it’s in the traditional form of the game’s best interests.
England all-rounder Ben Stokes became the most expensive foreign cricketer in IPL history at £1.7 million, while T20 specialist Tymal Mills was bought for a staggering £1.4 million.
Pietersen is no stranger to Twenty20 cricket, nor the IPL, having competed in the competition for many years, and he took to Twitter to suggest the Test format would suffer as a result of the lucrative contracts on offer.
Another SLAP in Test crickets face yesterday! A T20 specialist becomes one of the current England team's richest players!
— KP (@KP24) February 21, 2017
Fast bowler Mills, 24, has issues with his back, and as such he will probably never play long-form cricket. Twenty20 however is a format he can compete in, and Pietersen was quick to clarify he has no problem with players making a career.
I don't blame him at all! I ?how T20 is growing the game! I'm just saying that Tests are falling way behind atm! ICC needs to act & quick! https://t.co/i54RepJSAQ
— KP (@KP24) February 21, 2017
It's not crazy! Mills is a wonderful bowler in T20! He deserves it! Should have been playing for Eng 4yrs ago! https://t.co/ItTTESZpMP
— KP (@KP24) February 21, 2017
KP scored 8,181 runs in Tests, putting him fifth on England’s all-time Test run scorer’s list, hitting 23 centuries as well.He also helped England to the 2010 T20 World Cup, beating Australia in the final, and has seven iT20 half centuries to his name.The 36-year-old has long been a big fan of short form cricket, as he pointed out on Twitter…
Mate – I embraced it 8yrs ago & its what caused me my P45! I absolutely love how all these youngsters are now benefitting! https://t.co/8jCiw4UvYd
— KP (@KP24) February 21, 2017
… but will T20 success be the end for Test cricket somewhere along the line?