Kevin Pietersen to play against England in Soccer Aid 2018 for Unicef match at Old Trafford

Kevin Pietersen, one of the greatest batsmen in English cricket history, today made a sensational change of allegiance as he has announced he will play for the Soccer Aid World XI side against England in this year’s charity match.

One of the heroes of England’s famous Ashes win of 2005 and a former captain of the England test match side, Pietersen is also known as the master of the switch-hit and his decision to go against England by joining Usain Bolt’s Soccer Aid World XI at Old Trafford on Sunday June 10 will be seen as the most shocking switch of his illustrious and storied career.

The announcement was made exclusively on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, with Pietersen sending a message to long-term friend and Twitter nemesis Piers Morgan, warning him not to “choke on your cornflakes”.

Pietersen said, “The loyalty I showed to the Three Lions throughout my cricket career was undeniable, but Soccer Aid for Unicef is a game like no other, so I’m prepared to play against England if it means I can raise money for Unicef.

“Knowing that donations will be matched pound for pound by the UK government, doubling the difference for children in danger around the world, I have double the motivation.”

The 37-year-old added, “When I heard that Soccer Aid for Unicef was back, my first reaction was to offer my skills to Robbie’s England team, but any chance to get under Piers Morgan’s skin shouldn’t be missed, so I can’t wait to get out on the pitch at Old Trafford on Sunday 10th June and receive my first cap for the Soccer Aid World XI.”

The international friendly match will take place at Manchester United’s Old Trafford on June 10, just four days before the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals kick off in Russia.

Unicef, the world’s leading organisation for children, has joined forces with ITV to make the pro-celebrity football match bigger and better than ever, with more potential to raise money and vital support for children in danger.

Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen.

One-hundred per cent of all public donations to Soccer Aid for Unicef will go towards supporting the vital work protecting children in the UK and globally.

Tickets are on sale now and the game will be broadcast live on ITV, with kick-off at 20:00pm.

For more information or to purchase tickets for the 2018 Soccer Aid for Unicef football match, go to manutd.com/socceraid or call 0161 444 2018, with tickets priced between £10 and £50.

Visit socceraid.org.uk to find out more information and follow @SoccerAid on Twitter and Instagram, ‘Soccer Aid’ on Facebook and use the hashtag #SoccerAid for regular player and match updates.

Written by Dan Church Follow @DJChurch94