Pietersen says no to ODI captaincy

London, Jun 21 (UNI) ''Time is not right'' for the world's numero uno ODI batsman Kevin Pietersen as he today ruled himself out of the reckoning for England's ODI captaincy.

''It's something I've thought about long and hard but it's not the right time for me to do it,'' said the Hampshire batsman, who was largely tipped to succeed Michael Vaughan, who vacated the ODI top job on Tuesday.

''Now is the time for me to be doing team stuff -- playing and supporting.'' The 28-year-old was considered to be more progressive by many pundits, including batting legend Geoffrey Boycott and former English bowler Darren Gough.

The hard hitting batsmen said, ''At this stage of my career, I've only played 50-odd one-day internationals and 20 or 30 Tests.'' Pietersen promising full support to the future captain said, ''Whoever does get the job will get my full support. It's a new era, with new coaching staff and a good time for England cricket to go forward.'' Blaming Duncan Fletcher and the previous regime to neglect the one-day form of the game Pietersen said he hoped the one-day game would assume more significance within English cricket.

The burly batsman said, ''Ever since I have been playing in one-dayers, for almost the last three years, we have not won too many trophies. The one-day scene has been neglected. It has been more of a Test match environment.

''The schedules we play now are hard with Test match after Test match and then jumping into the one-dayers it can be a bit of a release.

''But we have to turn that around now because the World Cup wasn't the best of months for us. It is massive now that everybody buys into winning and a successful campaign with the one-day team. It will be a heck of a job,'' KP told reporters on the sidelines of a promotional event.

Although not closing all the doors on captaincy Pietersen said, ''I would be humbled in future to be given the opportunity to captain my country but not now.'' Asked if he had spoken to England's selectors about the issue, he said, ''It is something that has been mentioned, but I have pretty much answered it.'' UNI