Big Bash call indicates former England cricket star Kevin Pietersen closer to retirement

South African-born Pietersen says ongoing Australian Twenty20 league will be his last

Kevin Pietersen, third from left and pictured playing for the Quetta Gladiators in 2017, has seemingly played his last professional game. Satish Kumar / The National

Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen's appears to have moved closer to retirement after announcing the current Big Bash tournament would be his last.

Pietersen, 38 this year, said last year's T20 Blast would be his last cricket in England and he has now confirmed he will not be playing in Australia again once the ongoing Big Bash ends.

Now a T20 specialist following the breakdown of his England career, the South African-born power-hitter says he cannot improve any more and as such is close to calling time.

"Confirming that this is my last BBL as a player!" Pietersen, who has played for the Melbourne Stars for the last four seasons, wrote on Twitter.

"By the time BBL starts later this yr I cannot see myself wanting to improve or try & get better. That means it's time to finish! I'll enjoy playing my last few games at the Adelaide Oval, SCG & MCG!"

Pietersen still has commitments to come in 2018 and the Pakistan and South African T20 competitions, but it may well be that he will not play into 2019.

If it is the end, it will bring to a close a colourful, controversial but successful career which saw him plunder 32 hundreds for England, 23 of which came in Tests where he scored 8,181 runs in 104 outings.

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