Last updated on .From the section Cricket

It's a tough life, or as Kevin Pietersen says: "Living the dream"

Retired, ignored by the selectors and even exiled - what happens to the cast-out cricketers?

Well, they enjoy the high life; a world of sea, sun and sand, luxurious hotels, private planes, nightclubs and golf. Lots of golf. The catch? They still have to play some cricket along the way.

Welcome to the life of a Twenty20 specialist, probably the best job in the world.

Globetrotting

Pietersen has played T20 cricket on five continents

July in the Caribbean, winter in South Africa and Australia and then spring in Dubai and India, perhaps even a summer in England.

A T20 specialist racks up plenty of air miles as they jet around the world playing in the Caribbean Premier League, Ram Slam, Big Bash, Pakistan Super League, Indian Premier League and the T20 Blast.

Money, money, money

T20 pays very well

Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen is the 12th most expensive IPL player ever, once bought for $1.55m (£1.1m)

Each tournament he plays earns him another six-figure salary and that is before sponsorship and stints doing commentary and television.

"What some of us are doing now is the easiest gig in the world," he wrote in the Telegraph external-link last year. "You turn up for a franchise, are well remunerated and then move on to your next contract."

Lifestyle

When they are not thrilling the crowds on the pitch, T20 players make sure they enjoy themselves off it.

With a round of golf.

Pietersen plays golf all over the world

And plenty of relaxing.

Pietersen and former England team-mate Luke Wright catching some rays

KP takes a dip

Maybe see a whole new country and a bit of culture.

West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle takes a tour of Sydney Harbour

Plus a bit of quality family time.

Pietersen and his son Dylan

And even meeting a celebrity.

Former Australian cricketer Brett Lee and tennis star Novak Djokovic

Driving fast cars.

Chris Gayle and his motor

Partying

T20 cricket is all about team bonding....

The Melbourne Stars squad

...and a night out is always on the cards.

Former England stars Darren Gough, Simon Jones and Pietersen enjoying the Dubai nightlife with ex-South Africa batsman Graeme Smith and Brett Lee

When one bottle won't do

World-class competition

But of course it is all about the cricket.

Kevin Pietersen played in front of 80,000 at the Melbourne derby at the MCG in January.

Pietersen has recently reached three finals; at the Big Bash, Ram Slam and Pakistan Super League (though he lost all three).

While Chris Gayle hit the joint fastest ever half-century, needing just 12 balls to reach 50 in January.

So in summary....

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