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Kumar Sangakkara has said his Surrey team-mate Kevin Pietersen was driven by the hope that a strong performance could lead to a recall for England as he scored an incredible 326 runs against Leicestershire on Monday. Pietersen's triple-century was a well-timed reminder of his prowess with the bat just days after Andrew Strauss was appointed as England's new director of cricket, and Sri Lanka legend Sangakarra said the 34-year-old was inspired by his dream of returning to the international fold. "I don't think KP thought he had to do something dramatic," Sangakkara told the BBC. "He was doing something after the incoming chairman said the door was open as long as KP scores runs. That motivated KP to do what he did yesterday. "He withdrew from the IPL to pay county cricket - it showed he was keen and committed to making a comeback. "He had to score runs and he did - in one of the best innings I have seen on a wicket that was a lot more difficult to play on than he made it look." The crowd sang "Are you watching Andrew Strauss?" as Pietersen soared to the highest score of his life, and he said afterwards that his performance merited an England recall: "I want my England place and I think I deserve my England place." But Pietersen has allegedly been told that his comeback bid has been rejected by former team-mate Strauss. Sangakarra added that it would have been "wonderful" to see Pietersen play for England again, but said the decision to not pick him seems to have been made before Strauss' appointment. "I think the decision was made some time ago. It doesn't seem to have been a decision taken after watching Kevin for the last few games," he said. "Whether it's the right or wrong decision will be shown by the future of English cricket. I personally think it would have been wonderful had Kevin been recalled, because I think he would be a wonderful addition to the team. "When he's really committed himself to a comeback and it appears he had the opportunity to make the groundwork by scoring runs in county cricket - it's a shame he hasn't been allowed his day in England colours again."
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