Kevin Pietersen was in defiant mood yesterday as he spoke of his dedication to English cricket and railed against the misconceptions he believes are spread by his detractors.

Tomorrow's first Test against Sri Lanka in Cardiff represents Pietersen's return to the international fold after he left midway through the World Cup nursing a double hernia injury that was later operated on.

Team director Andy Flower's assertion at the time that the batsman might have been able to complete the tournament by playing through the pain raised some eyebrows, as did reports - so far unsubstantiated - that he was planning to retire from one-day cricket.

An appearance at a London nightspot shortly after returning from the sub-continent also made the news, so it was unsurprising that Pietersen found himself answering questions not limited to the forthcoming series.

His answers painted the picture of a player eager to deliver on his undeniable reserves of talent for several years to come, but also of a man ill at ease with his public portrayal in some quarters.

"There's a lot of people saying things about me that are not true," he said.

"People saying I want other things, that I don't want cricket. I do want cricket; cricket is my everything.

"I'm 30 years old, what would I do tomorrow if I didn't have cricket?

"It will surprise you to know I didn't have a holiday when I came back from the World Cup. Every single morning I was in the gym, making sure that come Cardiff I was ready.

"I've spent 350 overs in the field in the last two games and I woke up with no pain in my belly which is amazing.

"I've had stiffness in my legs but not as bad as it would have been if I'd taken time out to have holidays and enjoy all the spoils everyone says I enjoy."

When pressed on the rumours that he had considered retiring from the 50-over format, Pietersen said it had never crossed his mind.

"Everyone talks about money and finance, all these kind of things, but with central contracts you're not allowed to give up forms of the game or you'll lose your central contract," he said.

"Just logistically it doesn't work and it just creates more nonsense for me. Why would I create that nonsense?

"There's enough nonsense with me just sitting at home doing nothing when I wake up to hear things I've supposedly said or supposedly done."