Kevin Pietersen: 10 Facts About His Life and Cricket Career

Kevin Pietersen was born on June 27, 1980, in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, and moved to England in 2000 to further his cricket career.

He played for Natal in South Africa before joining Nottinghamshire in 2001, and later represented Hampshire and Surrey in England.

Pietersen made his One Day International debut for England on November 28, 2004, against Zimbabwe.

His Test debut came on July 21, 2005, against Australia during the Ashes series.

He played a crucial role in England's 2005 Ashes victory, scoring 473 runs in the series and establishing himself as a key player.

Pietersen scored 8,181 runs in 104 Test matches at an average of 47.28 and accumulated 4,440 runs in 136 ODIs at an average of 40.73, including 23 Test centuries and 9 ODI centuries.

He was known for his significant impact in T20 cricket, playing for various franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Big Bash League (BBL), and other T20 leagues worldwide.

Pietersen was appointed England captain in 2008, but his tenure was brief due to conflicts with the coach.

Throughout his career, Pietersen faced several controversies, including issues with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), which led to his temporary exclusion from the team in 2012.

After retiring from international cricket in 2014, Pietersen continued playing in T20 leagues and transitioned to a career as a cricket commentator and analyst. He is also active in wildlife conservation, focusing on saving rhinos in Africa, and is married to Liberty X singer Jessica Taylor.