article_snippet: Kevin Pietersen was axed from the England set-up in February last year in the aftermath of the 5-0 Ashes series defeat to Australia, but was given hope of a possible return by incoming chairman of England England and Wales Cricket Board, ECB chairman Colin Graves.
article_snippet: ECB chairman Colin Graves said in a recent BBC Radio 5 Sportsweek interview that Pietersen, who left Surrey last autumn, has to play county cricket if Kevin Pietersen harbours any hopes of an England return and Michael Vaughan agrees with this viewpoint.
article_snippet: There have been calls for Kevin Pietersen to return to the England fold following World Cup struggles .
article_snippet: Kevin Pietersen hits out for Kevin Pietersen county Surrey during a NatWest T20 Blast match with Middlesex last summer .
article_snippet: Kevin Pietersen has recently been playing for the Melbourne Stars in the Australian Big Bash league .
article_snippet: the ECB the ECB issued a statement on Sunday evening, insisting 'nothing has changed' in Kevin Pietersen status and adding 'only players who are playing consistent high-quality county cricket and who are seen as a positive influence will be selected for England'.
article_snippet: Surrey de-registered Kevin Pietersen at the end of last season, and are not publicly inclined to reopen negotiations.
article_snippet: Chairman Richard Thompson said: 'Our understanding at the end of last summer was that Kevin Pietersen had no intention of playing red-ball cricket. '
article_snippet: If not, Kevin Pietersen will not play for Surrey.'
highlights_snippet: Kevin Pietersen's urged KP to quit the Indian Premier League and play county games .
  
highlights_snippet: Kevin Pietersen was axed following England's disastrous Ashes last winter .