article_snippet: Kevin Pietersen was in optimistic mood again on Monday that an unlikely reconciliation could be achieved, tweeting: 'Incredibly humbling how supportive you've all been since the news broke yesterday from Wales Cricket Board chairman Colin Graves.
article_snippet: Indications in the 24 hours since Wales Cricket Board chairman Colin Graves BBC interview appear to have been less encouraging for the exiled 34-year-old batsman.
article_snippet: The ECB issued a statement on Sunday, 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: Downton has spoken on several occasions since then of the record-breaking batsman's apparent 'disengagement' with Kevin Pietersen team-mates while England were losing the final 2013/14 Ashes Test in Sydney by 281 runs.
article_snippet: It's all right the chairman saying Pietersen (right) has to play county cricket.
article_snippet: But if Pietersen (right) does that and gives up a lucrative IPL contract and Downton and Whitaker are still not going to pick Pietersen (right), that's kind of like leading Pietersen (right) on isn't it?
article_snippet: it needs to be put clear to Pietersen (right) that if Pietersen (right) plays well in county cricket then there's going to be a genuine - and
article_snippet: I mean the word genuine - change of heart and change of opinion that Pietersen (right) is going to be open for selection and that they are going to put bygones to one side. '
article_snippet: I don't think that it is fair to ask anybody to give up an IPL contract - because that's all Pietersen (
article_snippet: could even be expendable, if there is a difference of opinion on Pietersen between Boycott and former Yorkshire chairman Graves.
article_snippet: Pietersen world-class standing means Pietersen can command a budget-busting salary, but if Pietersen finds Pietersen in a position where Pietersen needs a county contract at all costs, Pietersen could perhaps be re-entering a buyer's market.
article_snippet: Pietersen closed Pietersen Monday tweet with a 'peace' motif - but it will surely be a vexed process if Pietersen is to get Pietersen wish.
highlights_snippet: The batsman would be forced to drop a Twenty20 franchise to play county .
  