The enigma that is Kevin Pietersen

[Making_Splinters]

I thin an important distinction that some on here are missing is that you don't need to defend or condone KPs actions to say that the ECB have handled this situation badly.

[meninblue]

I have read this article: http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/con ... 77393.html

It is disappointing that KP has indeed sent the derogatory SMS.

Why did not he aplologize before? Was it an ego problem of not feeling the need to accept guilt or mistake.? Or was he taking a chance that ECB would not take action is he did not apologize?

Why did he sent this derogatory SMS. Is it okay if other english cricketers send derogatory SMS about KP to opponents? How will he feel then?

Why is he having tough time adjusting with captians and coaches of his country and county? Are 20 people wrong or 1 is correct as far as adjusting to a group is concerned?


Was the ODI retirement used as an tactic to put pressure on ECB to ammend the central contracts so that he could play full IPL? If not why did he do an Afridi when it was realized that ECB would not consider IPL as a more important tournmanet than the ODI and test series.

First by doing an Afridi and then by not apologizing he is playing politics with ECB and forcing them to take decisions. ECB has been seen as a bad body but luckily now KP himself has shown the world that he was wrong and ECB were right. But i am afraid it is far too late. He has played enough politics with players (SMS) coaches (breaking team ethics) and with the board (team ethics and contract tactics).

[OffStumpYorker]

I odnt understand why the ECB is seen as the 'bad guy' here, they've been consistent in thier message and it is KP that has had to back down and agree that they were in the right.

could the ECB have handled it differently, probably not, especially with the KP media machine (inc Piers 'I hacked Phones' Morgan) behind him, and people who think the sun shine out of his arse defending him against the big bad ECB. Yet the ECB have to some extent pandered to his whims over the years, but the tide has changed and they are nolonger willing to put up with these tantrums that he throws.

And this situation is very similar to what happened with Moores, a public spat, KP threatening to resign unless the ECB did something, Moores insisting KP be removed as captain, the ECB sacking Moores, and then sacking KP as captain for the campaign against the coach.

In the end it was KP that announced his retirement then u-turned in a big way in a video, KP has to take responsibility for his actions and his retirement and texting of dergogatory or banter (depending on who you believe) messages to the opposition giving them the ammunition to undermined his team mates, and all that Strauss and Flower built.

It is KP that is the loser, and I couldnt care less if he ever pulls on an england shirt ever again, as no single person is bigger than the team, and no person is 100% secure. Players come and go for teams but the team lives on, and i will support England and the XI men that step onto the field of play regardless of who is or isnt in there, Win, Lose or Draw.

I also dont buy into the KP fan base that state people wont turn up to watch games if KP is not playing, there may be a few but does cricket really need these 'fly-by-night' fans, that would turn thier back as soon as england start losing?

[meninblue]

I odnt understand why the ECB is seen as the 'bad guy' here, they've been consistent in thier message and it is KP that has had to back down and agree that they were in the right.

could the ECB have handled it differently, probably not, especially with the KP media machine (inc Piers 'I hacked Phones' Morgan) behind him, and people who think the sun shine out of his arse defending him against the big bad ECB. Yet the ECB have to some extent pandered to his whims over the years, but the tide has changed and they are nolonger willing to put up with these tantrums that he throws.

And this situation is very similar to what happened with Moores, a public spat, KP threatening to resign unless the ECB did something, Moores insisting KP be removed as captain, the ECB sacking Moores, and then sacking KP as captain for the campaign against the coach.

In the end it was KP that announced his retirement then u-turned in a big way in a video, KP has to take responsibility for his actions and his retirement and texting of dergogatory or banter (depending on who you believe) messages to the opposition giving them the ammunition to undermined his team mates, and all that Strauss and Flower built.

It is KP that is the loser, and I couldnt care less if he ever pulls on an england shirt ever again, as no single person is bigger than the team, and no person is 100% secure. Players come and go for teams but the team lives on, and i will support England and the XI men that step onto the field of play regardless of who is or isnt in there, Win, Lose or Draw.

[b]I also dont buy into the KP fan base that state people wont turn up to watch games if KP is not playing, there may be a few but does cricket really need these 'fly-by-night' fans, that would turn thier back as soon as england start losing?[/b]

IMO cricketer have thousands of fan base and are popular. Very few know the names of administrators and they are obviously not popular with most of the fans. so there is a normal human tendency to back the cricketers , however wrong they maybe and pounce upon the administrators. In the case of KP versus ECB that has been observed. Very few believed when ECB said KP had sent derogatory texts and backed KP demanding proof. Now that he has apologized speciafically for sending derogatory texts those who said that there was no proof and it was media trick should also accept that KP indeed sent those. Later in the day such arguments might be seen on this thread itself.

Every nice cover drive or straight drive or any other stroke gives me a delightful watching experience. So does a good ball or a good fielding effort by other cricketers. KP was a star player but so are many others who will keep me interested in matches that England play. There are 22 cricketers in a cricket match, and there will be atleast one playing amongst those 22 which will keep me interested in watching the match. I am sure there are very few fans who just are into cricket because KP is playing. Spectators watched the ODI series too when KP did not play. And i bet there will be people watching the third test at Lords as well. Cricket like life will move on. Although i am a fan of KP's batting and fielding in his younger days, i am definitely not a fan of how he conducts as a team player over the years with many captains, coaches, players and counties. I will still watch England matches irrespective of some fans not watching it. I watched the ODI series even though he wasn't there. From whatever cricket i have played i am sure that for me the team Ethics are more important and then comes the excellence as a cricketer. Many cricketers have shown that they can be great cricketers without being as much controversial.

[OffStumpYorker]

Well put Adi, as you say there are 22 players on the field, and there is often more than one star player, be it in your team or the opposition.

In this series we have 7-8 star players to drool over Including Cook, KP, Kallis, Amla, Smith, Steyn, Bell, Anderson, and Trott. Each have thier own strengths and weaknesses, they just dont make a big fuss about it.

[Kim]

Just seen a quote from Swann on skysports news.

We need to pull in same direction, Not 10 of us doing it and 1 of us not.

I wish they would all STFU to be honest now. No more quotes, no more statements - just get on with it

[OffStumpYorker]

Just seen a quote from Swann on skysports news.

We need to pull in same direction, Not 10 of us doing it and 1 of us not.

I wish they would all STFU to be honest now. No more quotes, no more statements - just get on with it

The problem is that the media ask them the questions, a No Comment response will simply just lead to press insinuations, and any other comment will be taken out of context.

As for Swanns quote, its perfectly true, when one doesnt want to work towards that goal then chaos and division starts and the team becomes unfocused and ultimately destroys all its good work that has been done.

[hopeforthebest]

One aspect of these texts is that when Strauss in his 100 test goes out to bat what conversations will he hear in his ear from the close in fielders. KP has given them amunition that they will exploit to the full. Pietersen has stabbed his captain in the back and no mealy mouthed apology can repair the damage he has done.
The fact that he has come late in the day with some kind of apology is an indication that he doesn't believe an apoloy was required and is offering it only to get in the T20 squad. Part of his punishment should include exclusion from the T20 WC, which he prizes so highly.

[Kim]

Nothing on KP is complete without a Michael Henderson rant

http://bit.ly/PjmF5q:

[meninblue]

One aspect of these texts is that when Strauss in his 100 test goes out to bat what conversations will he hear in his ear from the close in fielders. KP has given them amunition that they will exploit to the full. Pietersen has stabbed his captain in the back and no mealy mouthed apology can repair the damage he has done.
The fact that he has come late in the day with some kind of apology is an indication that he doesn't believe an apoloy was required and is offering it only to get in the T20 squad. Part of his punishment should include exclusion from the T20 WC, which he prizes so highly.

I do feel he used the short formats retirement as a tactic. On realizing the tactic is unlikely to work, he did an Afridi.

Same happened with the apology. He perhaps wanted to show public that ECB are wrong and he is correct , so he did not offer apology. However, when he realized he has been dropped as ECB were sure about derogatory SMS information, the lack of apology tactic is failing, he finally had no option to save his test career but to offer an apology.
And also to get back in T20 squad.

It seems to me that he has a mind like politician and waits till the last minute to give himself all options available .

[Kim]

Just seen a quote from Swann on skysports news.

We need to pull in same direction, Not 10 of us doing it and 1 of us not.

I wish they would all STFU to be honest now. No more quotes, no more statements - just get on with it

The problem is that the media ask them the questions, a No Comment response will simply just lead to press insinuations, and any other comment will be taken out of context.

As for Swanns quote, its perfectly true, when one doesnt want to work towards that goal then chaos and division starts and the team becomes unfocused and ultimately destroys all its good work that has been done.

Of -urse its true its not helpfull. We all know who the one is. Ive no feelings on KP either way and he may well (in fact probably) brings this on himself - but theers a bullying element of all your team mates making statements that I dont like.

[OffStumpYorker]

he Makes a lot of Valid points that are hard not to disagree with, even though it is a rant.

[OffStumpYorker]

Just seen a quote from Swann on skysports news.

We need to pull in same direction, Not 10 of us doing it and 1 of us not.

I wish they would all STFU to be honest now. No more quotes, no more statements - just get on with it

The problem is that the media ask them the questions, a No Comment response will simply just lead to press insinuations, and any other comment will be taken out of context.

As for Swanns quote, its perfectly true, when one doesnt want to work towards that goal then chaos and division starts and the team becomes unfocused and ultimately destroys all its good work that has been done.

Of -urse its true its not helpfull. We all know who the one is. Ive no feelings on KP either way and he may well (in fact probably) brings this on himself - but theers a bullying element of all your team mates making statements that I dont like.

As I said, what are they supposed to say, no comment or try adn bat away the question like Bresnan did, either way its the press that wont let it rest, If the ECB cut all media contact with players, it would be 'what are they trying to stop the players from saying'.

The players are therefore caught between a rock and a hard place.

[Making_Splinters]

As I said above, you don't have to agree with KPs actions to disagree with how the ECB have handled the matter, far too many people have tried to treat this entire situation as a dipole with either KP being bad and the ECB being good or vice versa, of course it is actually possible for both sides to make grave errors of judgement.

Some of us simply expect the national body to be professional in its actions and should be held to the very highest standards:

"I'm a big believer in not airing dirty laundry in public."

Andrew Strauss, England Captain.

[meninblue]

Now that KP has finally taken the responsibility of all the mess he might be considered for the selection. However, i am afraid that he has already spoiled the team focus for this series as well as future ones. Also he has developed differences with the board, the captain, coach and players. I hope if he was a sensible cricketer too, not just a excellent batsman.