Former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie has launched a blistering attack on Kevin Pietersen after the former England star claimed he sacrificed his international career to pave the way for future players to enjoy the riches of franchise cricket.
Pietersen made the comments during an interview with Ranveer Allahbadia, where he reflected on his long-running battle with the England and Wales Cricket Board over participation in the Indian Premier League.
The former England captain argued his willingness to challenge the ECB came at enormous personal cost.
‘I made big sacrifices. I lost my career. That’s the reason why everybody in that establishment went against me,’ Pietersen said.
He also claimed his England career ended prematurely.
‘I was 33 when my England career finished, 104 Test matches. I should have played 150-160 Tests and got 12,000-13,000 runs. That’s what I should have got.’
Jason Gillespie mocked Kevin Pietersen’s franchise cricket claims during a recent podcast appearance
The former Australian quick accused Pietersen of chasing money, not sacrificing himself
Pietersen went on to suggest modern England players have benefited from the stand he took more than a decade ago.
‘I interviewed Jos Buttler a few days ago, and he also said ‘thank you’. Because of all the sacrifices I had made, these guys can have the fruits now.’
The comments did not sit well with Gillespie.
Speaking on the Fast Bowling Cartel podcast, the former Australian quick mocked Pietersen’s claims and sarcastically portrayed him as a selfless pioneer of the modern franchise era.
‘I also read about KP, he also claimed that he paved the way for players to play franchise cricket at the expense of his own career,’ Gillespie said.
‘He would have played 150 Tests [for England] he reckons, or more.
‘What a selfless individual, Kevin Pietersen is.
‘I want to take this opportunity please. I want to say thank you to Kev, for the stars above, the sun, the moon and the earth we walk on, and the air we breathe.
Pietersen says modern stars benefit from sacrifices he made during IPL disputes
‘Thank you Kevin.’
Gillespie then abandoned the sarcasm and delivered a direct assessment of Pietersen’s motives.
‘Give me a spell. It was all about cash for you Kev, it’s all it was.
‘Give me a break ya muppet.’
The extraordinary exchange reignites one of cricket’s longest-running and most colourful rivalries.
Pietersen spent much of his career tormenting Australia on the field while becoming one of the most polarising figures in world cricket.
His unforgettable 158 at The Oval helped England reclaim the Ashes in 2005, while his double-century in Adelaide during the 2010-11 series played a major role in England’s historic Ashes triumph on Australian soil.
Australian crowds regularly booed Pietersen, who embraced the role of cricket’s pantomime villain and often found himself at the centre of controversy throughout his international career.
Despite that reputation, Pietersen remains one of England’s greatest modern batsmen, scoring 8,181 Test runs at an average of 47.28 with 23 centuries.
His relationship with the ECB deteriorated dramatically during the latter stages of his career before he was dropped following England’s disastrous 2013-14 Ashes tour of Australia.
Pietersen has long maintained he was unfairly treated by administrators and believes he paid a heavy price for challenging the cricket establishment.
