Pietersen Quits England Limited Over Cricket

Batsman Kevin Pietersen has dealt England a major blow by retiring from all forms of international limited over cricket.

The Surrey player said the "increasing demands" of the international calendar have forced him into the decision.

"After a great deal of thought and deliberation, I am today announcing my retirement from International One Day Cricket," Pietersen said in a statement.

"With the intensity of the international schedule and the increasing demands on my body, approaching 32, I think it is the right time to step aside."

Pietersen has been an integral part of England's One-Day and T20 teams since he made his limited over debut in 2004.

The surprise decision has shocked many in the sport, with the England and Wales Cricket Board admitting its disappointment.

"The ECB is disappointed by the timing of Kevin's decision less than four months before we defend our ICC World Twenty20 title," ECB managing director Hugh Morris said in a statement.

"Kevin is a world class player and I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his efforts."

England's next ODI is the first of a three-game series against the West Indies on June 16.

They also play Australia and South Africa in limited over games this summer before defending their World T20 title in Sri Lanka in September.

Pietersen is England's leading T20 run scorer of all-time, hitting 1,176 runs in his 36 matches. That is almost twice as many as Eoin Morgan, who is England's second most successful batsman in the form of the game with 601 runs.

Pietersen is also England's sixth highest all-time run scorer in ODI cricket, amassing 4,184 runs in 127 games.

:: He said will continue to make himself available for Test matches.