There're lot more interesting things other than cricket: KP

London, June 14 (UNI) A packed calendar with little time to spend with his family has left a burned out Kevin Pietersen craving for ''exciting things'' in life other than cricket.

''There's a lot of cricket being played these days and time will tell how fatherhood changes my attitude,'' says KP, who hit a career-best 226 against West Indies at Headingley last month and is now ranked No 1 batsman in the world ODI ratings and No 3 in the Test charts.

''I don't like spending time away from my family, I don't like it at all, especially since I met Jessica. All these future tours that just get chucked in here and there, they don't make me happy.

''There are so many exciting things to look forward to in life other than cricket and I've changed a heck of a lot both as a person and a player,'' he adds.

Pietersen, who used to believe in hitting the ball hard and hitting the dance floor harder, now says that he has metamorphosed into a family man and wild parties don't interest him anymore.

''I've matured in both aspects and all I'm interested in now is playing good cricket and starting a family. It's a new start to my life in December when Jess and I marry. These are the things in life that matter now rather than the party image I used to portray. I'm not too interested in any of that now.

''I was just 24 when I started out. It was just a part of the process of growing up. I was single and just enjoying myself as a 24-year-old should.

''Now I probably look back on it and think 'Aargh' about some of that -- but hey, I had a fantastic time and it never got in the way of my preparation or my work ethic. Most importantly, I kept scoring stacks and stacks of runs.

''But I'm much happier with the place I'm at now. In fact, I couldn't be much happier at all. I can't wait to be a dad. But having said that, cricket is my job and nothing is going to distract me from my ambitions of being the best I possibly can be,'' Pieterson told 'Daily Mirror'.

UNI