Cricket: I'm not a lone ranger, says Pietersen

England's Kevin Pietersen has hit back at suggestions by Australia coach John Buchanan that he is not a team player.

Buchanan said on Friday he noticed Pietersen always fielded in the outfield away from his teammates and that he was one of five players who did not attend the squad's Christmas Day lunch. "It surprises me that he always seems to be distanced from the rest of the group. I wonder whether the criticism of him is because he's different from the group," Buchanan said.

Pietersen was quoted in British media yesterday as saying: "They obviously want to win 5-0 and maybe he's trying to get into my head to make me wonder if I am a lone ranger - which I am not. We are a team."

Buchanan's comments came after England lost the fourth test to trail 4-0. The final test starts tomorrow.

Pietersen told the News of the World: "I give everything I have for this England team - on the field, in the dressing room and in the nets. To suggest I play for myself, don't care about my teammates or the team or choose exactly where I want to bat is total rubbish."

- REUTERS