The enigma that is Kevin Pietersen

[ddb]

And Dravid retired properly. None of this halfway house stuff...

May be been mentioned but:

@atlasdanced: Smart move by KP to quit while his ODI avg. was still above that of Nick Knight.

[braveneutral]

[Arthur Crabtree]

Asked myself to free think some instant images of KP. Got-

Hooking Brett Lee into the crowd at the Oval.

The switch hit, particularly off Murali.

Getting into a muddle against part time spin, particularly Yuvraj.

The flamingo.

Walking off the ground to a standing ovation, spinning around 360degrees with his bat in the air to better remember the moment.

But the last one is a lie. it is a product of crowd conformity. The overwhelming folk memory of KP is to be found on the MBs. He was disliked for his extravagant cricketing talent. For his confidence. As an outsider. That's just the way it is. I and others don't feel that way. But this is the air that Pietersen breaths.

[greyblazer]

Asked myself to free think some instant images of KP. Got-

Hooking Brett Lee into the crowd at the Oval.

The switch hit, particularly off Murali.

Getting into a muddle against part time spin, particularly Yuvraj.

The flamingo.

Walking off the ground to a standing ovation, spinning around 360degrees with his bat in the air to better remember the moment.

But the last one is a lie. it is a product of crowd conformity. The overwhelming folk memory of KP is to be found on the MBs. He was disliked for his extravagant cricketing talent. For his confidence. As an outsider. That's just the way it is. I and others don't feel that way. But this is the air that Pietersen breaths.

[OffStumpYorker]

I think he'll retire from test cricket after the next home and away ashes series, then focus on T20 cricket in the IPL, UK, SA and AUS.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Might be reason to revisit the ECBs linking of T20 and ODIs? The different captain/squads point to a separate identity. This is more like some arcane bureaucratic relic than a sensible selection policy.

[Gingerfinch]

I agree with having different captains and squads as they some can play one but not the other. Trott for example.

[Aidan11]

The conversation at ECB HQ probably went something like this -

ECB suit: "You're fined for your Twitter comments about Nick Knight"

KP: "But, he's a ****".

"Maybe so, but you can't criticise in public"

"Right then, I'm quitting ODIs"

"Ok then. Bye"

"I'm still playing in the T20 World Cup though"

"No you're not. Bye".

[greyblazer]

One of KP's knocks I remember is his quickfire fifty in Pakistan in a one-day match in 2005. England needed quick runs and KP smashed all the bowlers including a fiery Akthar without worrying about losing his wicket. The special knock helped England to get about 330 on the board and win the match.

[Making_Splinters]

I think he'll retire from test cricket after the next home and away ashes series, then focus on T20 cricket in the IPL, UK, SA and AUS.

I'd be shocked if he retired before making 10,000 test runs unless he's dropped in between now and then.

[Peter Lanky]

All these reminiscences remind me that I have not seen any international English cricket in the last 6 years so have none of these memories.

[Aidan11]

All these reminiscences remind me that I have not seen any international English cricket in the last 6 years so have none of these memories.

Not even the highlights on Channel 5?

[Peter Lanky]

All these reminiscences remind me that I have not seen any international English cricket in the last 6 years so have none of these memories.

Not even the highlights on Channel 5?

I've never liked the highlights because all they show is the fours sixes and wickets, with too much talk in between. It doesn't give you the remotest feel for the game or the atmosphere.

[OffStumpYorker]

I think he'll retire from test cricket after the next home and away ashes series, then focus on T20 cricket in the IPL, UK, SA and AUS.

I'd be shocked if he retired before making 10,000 test runs unless he's dropped in between now and then.

I think he was hoping to get to 23 Test tons first then do it, but now strauss looks favourite to accomplish that task. you may be right, it depends on what his goals are.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Not a huge fan of ODIs... But his batting in UAE felt like weighty, significant innings. KP seems to have fought his way out of the doldrums, just to give in with the home port in sight.

KP will write such an interesting autobiography one day.

Great that he's carrying on in Tests. Which is what most of us really care about. And that there has been so little meanness on this board.