Don't call me a Bok, says Pietersen

Kevin Pietersen does not qualify to play for England until a week today. But if he has even the tiniest concern about already slamming the door on South Africa then don't expect to hear it.

"There's no doubt about it - I've definitely made the right decision," said Pietersen who, until next week, is between counties as well as countries.

After four highly successful seasons with Nottinghamshire, the 24-yearold batsman and part-time offspinner is determined to find a new summer home.

"I've had four offers and it will be sorted out early next week," said Pietersen, who has been linked with, among others, Surrey, Kent and Hampshire.

As for his international future, that is already taking definite shape.

Born in Pietermaritzburg, with an Afrikaans-speaking father and having played three years for Natal, Pietersen might be representing South Africa by now.

Instead, having turned his back on his homeland - at least in a cricket sense - in 2000, he should make his full England debut in Harare next month after being picked to tour Zimbabwe as a member of Michael Vaughan's one-day international party. "I'm ecstatic, thrilled to bits," said Pietersen, who is currently in training with England's Academy squad at Loughborough.

He has had three weeks for the selection news to sink in but admits it's still 'pinch yourself ' time.

"If someone had told me four years ago that I'd be on the first England tour I became eligible for then I'd have laughed," said Pietersen. But if that sounds like there might have been a lack of confidence in his own ability, everything about Pietersen today - the dominating way in which he plays and especially the self-assured manner in which he speaks - suggests a real belief in what he can offer to his adopted country.

"It's a case of grabbing the opportunity now," he said.

Pietersen is happy to repeat the story that it was the quota system which persuaded him to leave South Africa, sign for Notts and start a fouryear process of qualifying for England.