'Test cricket could be dead in a decade'

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen on Thursday joined the likes of Geoffrey Boycott in mourning the demise of Test cricket and said the longer version of the game could be dead within a decade.

"A few months ago I was so clear in my thoughts that nothing would affect Tests, but then you see what certain players are saying in the media and what kind of players are retiring to continue with the Twenty20 format as well as the riches of Twenty20 cricket," Pietersen was quoted as saying in the Daily Telegraph.

"Id be a fool to tell you now that Test cricket will be here in 10 years' time because I don't know now," he added.

England skipper Andrew Strauss, however, did not agree with Pietersen and said he would be "surprised" if historic Test series like the Ashes is not played in future.

"No. I think Test cricket will be around and I think series like this Ashes show what value Test cricket has, what a great future it has.

"I think Test cricket is going to be around for a long time to come. I'd be very surprised if England and Australia aren't playing an Ashes series in 20 years. That would be a massive surprise."

Former England skipper Pietersen has been ruled out of cricket for the next six weeks owing to his lingering achilles heel injury.