Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen admits T20 cricket is 'an easy gig'

Kevin Pietersen thinks playing T20 cricket is the "easiest gig in the world". The 35-year-old batsman is currently playing for the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League in Australia, and has warned that the riches on offer may cause an increasing number of big-name players to turn their backs on international cricket.

The right-hander has taken to playing T20 cricket for various teams around the world, appearing in Australia, India and the West Indies. He thinks that in comparison to the demands of international cricket, playing domestic T20 competitions is easy.

"There is a lot of talk among the players here in Australia about the future of the game and the battle brewing between international and franchise T20 cricket. If the International Cricket Council keeps the current structure of bilateral tours then I see more players wanting the life of T20," he wrote in The Telegraph.

"The boards need to make sure, especially with the big three earning most of the money, that they look after the poorer nations. If the players from those nations can't earn their cash in international cricket then the best will drift away and jump on the T20 bandwagon like five or six of us are doing now, and earning a lot of money for a lot less work."

Pietersen – who last represented England in January 2014 – explained the players are handsomely rewarded for their efforts and also get the chance to play in front of packed-out crowds.

"What some of us are doing now is the easiest gig in the world. You turn up for a franchise, are well remunerated and then move on to your next contract," he said. "It is very attractive. And we are playing in front of full houses. The Melbourne Stars drew a crowd of 80,000 at the MCG [Melbourne Cricket Ground]."