Pietersen dismisses ODI retirement talks

London, Feb 13 (PTI) Top England batsman Kevin Pietersenhas dismissed reports that he will be retiring from one-daycricket after the Cricket World Cup in the sub-continent toprolong his Test and Twenty20 career.

"Just to set the record straight. I have NO intention ofretiring from ODI''s after the World Cup!!" Pietersen wrote onhis Twitter account before boarding the flight to Bangladeshfor the World Cup.

Reports had yesterday claimed that the England batsmanwas to stop playing in the 50-over format and instead focus onTest, Twenty20 cricket and the Indian Premier League, givinghim more time to spend with his family.

"Kevin would like to make it clear he will continue toplay ODIs for England as long as he is selected," his agentAdam Wheatley was quoted as saying by ''Sunday Telegraph''.

Like many of the England squad, Pietersen has of latespent months away from his family, including son Dylan who wasborn in May last, over the course of a long winter which hasincluded an Ashes tour of Australia and now the World Cup.

The 30-year-old will extend his time abroad by playing inthe IPL after the World Cup, having earned a USD 650,000contract with the Deccan Chargers.

England open their World Cup campaign against theNetherlands on February 22.

The IPL season four runs from April 8 to May 22, afterwhich Pietersen will return to his new county Surrey for theEnglish domestic season, which will already be in full swingby that stage.