Proteas bore Pietersen

2007-04-15 16:42

Bridgetown - England batsman Kevin Pietersen insists his bitter feud with Proteas captain Graeme Smith will not distract him from his mission of trying to secure a World Cup semi-finals place.

If South Africa win Tuesday's Super Eights clash, they will be guaranteed the final last four spot and England will be out.

Pietersen, 26, who was born in South Africa but switched allegiance after becoming frustrated at the lack of opportunities, has waged a war of words with Smith since returning to the country of his birth on tour in 2005.

Pietersen called Smith an "absolute muppet" for his on-field sledging during that tour.

Pietersen said: "Graeme Smith and I do not get on, but I must not be distracted.

"This is a massive game. It's a make-or-break game. If we win, we've a great chance of making the semi-finals. If we lose, we'll be flying out of the Caribbean on Sunday.

"Tuesday is do or die for England. It's not Kevin Pietersen v Graeme Smith.

"We won't be having a beer together afterwards. Neither of us have a problem with that. We will both be giving everything to come out on top - let's leave it at that."

Pietersen left South Africa in protest at the quota system which guarantees places in the international set-up for black players.

But he insists that the issue is history.

"The reality is that I'm bored with the South Africa issue. It's old news. All my reasons for leaving have been well-documented," said Pietersen.

- AFP