Viv Richards: ‘Kevin Pietersen is a breath of fresh air’

Richards, speaking in his role as an ambassador for the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), is delighted that the fledgling Twenty20 tournament, which started its second edition this weekend, has attracted Pietersen. Sacked by England in January, the 34-year-old will link up with St Lucia Zouks this month once his commitments with Surrey in the group stage of the NatWest T20 Blast are over. If, as seems likely, his county qualify for the quarter-finals, Pietersen will fly back for that match in early August before jetting back to the Caribbean.

Damien O’Donohoe, the Irish businessman who is the chief executive of the CPL, knows Pietersen’s appearance in the tournament will pique interest in the UK. “Kev’s one of the most exciting, vibrant and well-known cricketers in the world and it’s a great honour for us to have him playing here,” he said.