Kevin Pietersen's retirement from limited over internationals could be short-lived after he revealed that he would "love to play for another three or four years in all forms of cricket" if changes can be made in the schedule.
Pietersen, speaking after blazing an unbeaten 234 for Surrey, also hinted that speculation he was in talks with the England and Wales Cricket Board to reverse his quit call were correct.
Pietersen ended his limited-overs career for England when he announced his retirement from the shorter formats of international cricket, at the age of 31, earlier this summer.
Speculation has mounted in the past couple of days that Pietersen was set to perform a U-turn on that decision, though, after reportedly meeting ECB officials.
While the right-hander appeared to validate those claims, he indicated England's international schedule, which helped prompt his retirement, was still a major hurdle in any possible return.
"I've said before that, if the schedule was right, if they could sort my schedule out, I would love to play for another three or four years in all forms of cricket," Pietersen said.
"But the schedule at the moment is a nightmare. I hope something can be sorted out."
Asked if talks with the ECB about his limited overs future had begun, he replied: "I think so."
Pietersen had initially wanted to call time only on 50-over cricket and carry on in Twenty20, but the terms of ECB central contracts prevent players picking and choosing their formats.
Pietersen reiterated his desire to play in England's World Twenty20 title defence later this year in Sri Lanka.
England must meet ICC's Wednesday deadline to name their initial 30-man squad for the September tournament.
"I've always said I want to play in Twenty20," he said.
"But I needed to get away from the schedule. I cannot keep playing every single day's cricket. I've never been looked after. I cannot keep playing every warm-up game, I cannot keep practising every single day.
"There comes a time when I know what I need to do to be successful. I've got a young family and I cannot be on the treadmill all day, every day."
Pietersen's decision to retire from England's limited overs matches has meant he has missed just one Twenty20 international, against West Indies, and the 50-over series wins over West Indies and Australia.
In his absence England have been unbeaten with Ian Bell ably filling his place at the top of the order, claiming the man-of-the-series against Australia, while Alex Hales blasted 99 in the Twenty20 win over West Indies at Trent Bridge.
Meanwhile, South Africa's chances of replacing England as world No 1 team after their forthcoming three-Test series became more difficult when the latest rankings were published.
The South Africans slipped to third in the list behind Australia, nine points off England from just a point adrift when the annual figures were issued.
The Proteas slipped because their series victories in England and Australia four years ago were no longer valid to the rankings. The first Test gets underway at The Oval on Thursday.
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