By Gary Baker

KEVIN Pietersen should 'go quietly' because he is not wanted by England, reckons former Ashes star Geraint Jones.

Instead, the England and Wales Cricket Board should draft in the youngsters who will lead them in the future.

Jones, who has joined Gloucestershire as joint captain with Australian Michael Klinger this season, and Pietersen were together in the 2005 England Ashes Series-winning side.

But he believes 34-year-old Pietersen has had his day, despite saying he wants to meet with incoming ECB chairman Colin Graves about a return to international duty.

And, said Jones, he does not believe that Pietersen would want to play at the County Ground, Bristol, this season in an attempt to persuade the ECB he is serious about a recall ahead of this year's Ashes Series which starts in Cardiff on July 8.

The Gloucestershire co-captain and wicketkeeper said: "I don't think they (England) want him back at all.

"There is a lot that has happened in the past which we probably don't know anywhere near the full amount of and the best thing for Kevin is that he is being talked about.

"Realistically, I think England would like him to go quietly but that is not going to happen but that is not going to happen because Kevin's name keeps popping up in the press.

"I am a believer that Kev's days are done for England. They made a decision, which was a bold one although people will argue whether it was the right one or the wrong one, but they have moved on.

"Really, if he is going to play, how much longer would he play for? Is his body up to playing all formats? So what is the value of Kevin being in the side? Is he going to be there in four years' time or is it worth investing in somebody else?"

As for playing for Gloucestershire, Jones said: "You can't deny someone of Kevin's talent. You can't dismiss it but I don't particularly thing that we are high on his radar.

"He is London-based so I think ultimately if he does (join a county) - and that is a big if now with an England selector coming out and saying he is not part of their plans - to give up what he has got - IPL (Indian Premier League) the Caribbean Premier League, I would be very surprised if Kevin throws the whole lot in and commits to a whole season of country cricket.

"You can't not look at the situation if he approached us but it is not something we have talked about, purely because, with the group we have got, he would not be that keen to travel down the M4."