Kevin Pietersen tries to resolve his South Africa conundrum

Sacked England swashbuckling batsman Kevin Pietersen revealed that he has never regretted his decision to leave South Africa to play for England while admitting that he loves his native land.

While commentating with Ricky Ponting during a Melbourne Renegades and Brisbane Heat Big Bash fixture, Pietersen said that he wouldn't be sitting there if he hadn't left South Africa, Sport24 reported.

The exiled batsman further said that he loved South Africa and its people and believes that he was a South African. However, he added that he would never say he would have preferred to stay in South Africa as he got an enjoyable and wonderful life, the report added.

England sacked Pietersen in February 2014 following their 5-0Ashes whitewash by Australia.

However, the batsman has since said that he has not given up hope of a return, and suggested that the new one-day captain Eoin Morgan wants him in the team.