England the focus for Pietersen

England Cricket / Editor / 16 April 2007 / Leave a Comment

will not let his long-running feud with Graeme Smith detract him from guiding England to victory over South Africa.

The pair famously clashed two winters ago when Pietersen returned to the country of his birth, with England's star batsman branding the Proteas' skipper an "absolute muppet" for his on-field sledging during that tour.

Pietersen insists he will not let his beef with Smith become his focus as he looks to steer the Three Lions to victory in Tuesday's must-win Super 8 World Cup showdown.

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

"This is a massive game. It's a make-or-break game for our winter. 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 has been England's star performer with the bat in the Caribbean, amassing 341 runs, and is the 1.16 favourite to end the tournament as the top England batsman.

He can also be backed at 24 to come away from the West Indies as the top run scorer, with Smith available at 40.

South Africa are trading as the 1.6 favourites in the Match Odds market, with Duncan Fletcher's men available at 2.62.

England can be backed at 2.98 in the Reach Semi Final market, with the Proteas expected to book their place in the last four at 1.53.