Kevin Pietersen would 'love' to play for England again

Cricket: Discarded batsman Kevin Pietersen says he would "love" the opportunity to play cricket for England again.

Pietersen, who is fourth on the list of England's Test run-scorers, was told in February he would not be considered for selection again.

He told BBC Sport: "I've always said I'd love to play for England again. Certain things have put a halt to that, but I'm 34, my body feels great. "My resume is OK - my job application is still there!"

England have gone eight Test matches without a victory and last month suffered their first home defeat against Sri Lanka in a series that consisted of more than one match.

Pietersen, who was part of the England team whitewashed by Australia last winter, also reopened his war of words with Matt Prior by claiming the wicketkeeper should be replaced in the Test team by Jos Buttler.

Regarding the increasing pressure on skipper Alastair Cook, Pietersen said he had some sympathy for the opening batsman because he no longer had the services of Graeme Swann.

The off-spinner retired from cricket midway through the Ashes loss.

"Swann is England's biggest loss," said Pietersen, who also called for left-arm spinner Monty Panesar to be recalled.

Downton also claimed he was unable to find a single person who wanted the batsman to stay in the England side. The ECB and Downton later apologised for the remarks.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's anniversary celebration match at Lord's between the Marylebone Cricket Club and the Rest of the World, Pietersen said: "I'd love to have got 10,000 Test runs. I would love to have played for the next three to four years, absolutely.

"I have always said that I am desperate to play for England."

Former captain Pietersen, who made 23 centuries and scored 8,181 runs in his 104 Test matches for England, was sacked following the disastrous Ashes tour of Australia last winter, when Cook's team were beaten 5-0. Paul Downton, the new managing director of the England and Wales Cricket Board, told the BBC's Test Match Special that Pietersen had appeared "disinterested" and "distracted" during the fifth Test in Sydney.

Asked whether Prior, 32, was past his best, Pietersen said: "He probably was in Australia. I would play Buttler ahead of Prior every day of the week.

"You want Buttler on the international stage where you know he can change a game, win a game and break a game open for you."

Pietersen added: "I don't like to see England losing. I like to see England winning. I'm not a jealous person." The uncapped Buttler, 23, made 121 from 74 balls at Lord's in the one-day internationals against Sri Lanka in May.

Downton also claimed he was unable to find a single person who wanted the batsman to stay in the England side.

The ECB and Downton later apologised for the remarks.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's anniversary celebration match at Lord's between the Marylebone Cricket Club and the Rest of the World, Pietersen said: "I'd love to have got 10,000 Test runs. I would love to have played for the next three to four years, absolutely.

"I have always said that I am desperate to play for England."