<p>Incoming England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chairman Colin Graves has given Kevin Pietersen a glimmer of hope that he may yet be able to resurrect his England career.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Pietersen, 34, has not played for England since the ECB effectively called time on his international career following the disastrous Ashes tour of 2013-14.<br /><br />But with England toiling at the World Cup and Pietersen having spoken of his eagerness to return to the team, Graves has suggested that a return to English county cricket could open the door for a dramatic comeback.<br /><br />"The first thing he has to do if he wants to get back is start playing county cricket," Graves told BBC Radio 5 today.<br /><br />"The selectors and the coaches are not going to pick him if he's not playing. It's as simple as that. I'll leave it at that."<br /><br />Pietersen is currently without a county after leaving Surrey and although Graves is not an ECB selector, he believes a county return would help the outspoken South Africa-born batsman's cause.<br /><br />Asked if he was in favour of Pietersen returning for England, Graves replied: "At the end of the day it's down to the selectors and coaches and what they feel is best for English cricket.<br />"They will make the decisions and I will support their decisions."</p>
<p>Incoming England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chairman Colin Graves has given Kevin Pietersen a glimmer of hope that he may yet be able to resurrect his England career.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Pietersen, 34, has not played for England since the ECB effectively called time on his international career following the disastrous Ashes tour of 2013-14.<br /><br />But with England toiling at the World Cup and Pietersen having spoken of his eagerness to return to the team, Graves has suggested that a return to English county cricket could open the door for a dramatic comeback.<br /><br />"The first thing he has to do if he wants to get back is start playing county cricket," Graves told BBC Radio 5 today.<br /><br />"The selectors and the coaches are not going to pick him if he's not playing. It's as simple as that. I'll leave it at that."<br /><br />Pietersen is currently without a county after leaving Surrey and although Graves is not an ECB selector, he believes a county return would help the outspoken South Africa-born batsman's cause.<br /><br />Asked if he was in favour of Pietersen returning for England, Graves replied: "At the end of the day it's down to the selectors and coaches and what they feel is best for English cricket.<br />"They will make the decisions and I will support their decisions."</p>