England stars may emulate Flintoff, says Pietersen

London:

England batsman Kevin Pietersen believes other players may follow Andrew Flintoff in deciding not to sign central contracts in the future.

Pietersen, 29, feels Flintoff's decision to reject an incremental contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board in order to have total freedom over his one-day and Twenty20 playing commitments is an indication that central contracts are no longer an ideal fit for the modern game.

"I think everybody needs to realise that something that was right seven years ago - before IPL, before the 2005 Ashes, which has sort of changed the face of cricket because of how much interest that created, for kids and everything - it doesn't necessarily mean that what was right then is right now in terms of central contracts," Pietersen told the Observer.

"So people are going to have to get up to date with that kind of scenario.

"But I think the reality of it is now, with IPL and everything around, central contracts are not necessarily going to be things people are going to look forward to."

However, Pietersen insists he is unlikely to follow Flintoff's example because he has a lighter workload than the Lancashire all-rounder, who had to lead England's bowling as well as being a key batsman.

"Freddie's in a different position to me because he's finished his Test career, his body is sort of finishing itself off," Pietersen added.

"He puts such a workload through his legs and his knees and his ankles. I'm just a batsman. I love scoring runs for England. I hate being out injured. I'm not going to make a sob story out of it, because I just want to try and recharge my batteries after five years of a rollercoaster ride."