Ian Botham sees Kevin Pietersen's limited-overs retirement as an opportunity for a new star to enter the limelight in English cricket.
Former England great Botham has no qualms about the end of the Pietersen era in one-day internationals and Twenty20 cricket, reasoning that the South Africa-born batsman had hit a "mental barrier" and needed to trim down his schedule.
Pietersen, who had wanted to continue in the shortest format but was prevented from doing so by the terms of his England and Wales Cricket Board contract, will be restricted to Tests for the remainder of his career.
"I would rather look back at what KP has done for us. He's been magnificent," Botham told Sky Sports News.
"He says he has hit a mental barrier, a wall, and something has to give."
England announced their first limited-overs squads since Pietersen's retirement, confirming a return to the ODI set-up for Ian Bell - with Alex Hales likely to be back as an opener in Twenty20s.
"It sits pretty well with me ... there's no point in saying you have to play, if his heart isn't in it," added Botham.
"It will give an opportunity to someone else.
"KP has gone, so now is the chance for a new KP.
"Players like that don't come along every day. But he feels the time is right - so be it."
