The enigma that is Kevin Pietersen

[Aidan11]

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.

Seems like Swann doesn't like KP.

[meninblue]

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.

Seems like Swann doesn't like KP.

Apparently at least 10 are united, and that's good. The replacement might also go in the direction of 10. So i would make it 11.

[#Brown]

I would agree with MS that the situation has been managed poorly.

However the thing I'd add is that imo it's resulted not only from the control-hungry ECB, but from two different management teams at loggerheads with differing priorities...One English cricket, and the other financial reward. Both seemingly have tried to influence the public perception of kp, either with those famous 'leaks', or the contrived youtube video....with the only actual result being a massive fallout, and us seeing the colours of their dirty laundry.

[meninblue]

KP asks for it from coaches, captains and administrators.

[Making_Splinters]

KP asks for it from coaches, captains and administrators.

The groups of people you list are supposed to be the ones who set the example for everyone else to follow, in fact the way Strauss has handled himself through this and indeed other situations means I hope once he has left the playing field he moves into the world of the ECB as he has been a paradigm of how such matters are supposed to be dealt with.

[hopeforthebest]

The ECB is an easy target to pin the blame on because of their desire to sqeeze as much cricket into the short English cricket season as possible. But the situation with KP is a unique problem for them and one that they are not equiped to handle. Pietersen's recent behavior has surprised them and found them wanting as since the introduction of central contracts, this is the first time anyone has tried to change the terms agreed in mid contract. If they had refused to allow him to retire from one day games and told him that he must honour his agreement until September, the problem would not have reached this point.
Apologists for Pietersen claim that Strauss was allowed this option but ingnore the fact that he is older and was entering the twilight of his career and the dual role of captaining both ODI and tests was too big a task. Also after England's poor showing in the WC they clearly wanted to take a different tack.

[Making_Splinters]

Demonstrating the various positions the ECB has taken on different issues over the past is not analagous with being an "apologist" - the use of the term is simply another demonstration of people attempting to make this a dipole - as I have said many times in this and other topics just because one disagrees with a rule does not mean one can pretend that it does not exist and very equally just because you disagree with what a player has done does not automatically mean that the boards actions are correct either.

The only people who have walked away with their credibility intact from this mess are Strauss and to a lesser degree Flower; many of the players have shown themselves to be deeply petty and acted in a manner that is contrary to the very message that the team has sought to present and the ECB has shown itself to be badly lacking in basic management skills.

[hopeforthebest]

The only people who have walked away with their credibility intact from this mess are Strauss and to a lesser degree Flower; many of the players have shown themselves to be deeply petty and acted in a manner that is contrary to the very message that the team has sought to present and the ECB has shown itself to be badly lacking in basic management skills.

Can you please expand on who these many players are.

[D/L]

Quite disappointed that Pietersen has been backed into a corner here regarding this apology, and taken the only way out that would preserve his England career.

Through his actions, Pietersen deserved to be in the corner he found himself.

The ECB's credibility has been destroyed by their actions this summer, and their treatment of KP, who has little dignity intact.

On the contrary, many will support the ECB's firm stance against someone who will now be seen as a self-confessed troublemaker. Pietersens's dignity flew away with the texts he has now apparently apologised for.

I'd like to see some proper journalism on this, as to who has been doing what at the ECB and the role of the press.

It would seem the press reports have been reasonably accurate in this case. I see no need to investigate the ECB.

This is the almost the saddest I've felt about English cricket in the years I've been following it. Maybe since the rebel tours. This is such a low.

That's a shame. Most will be gladdened.

[Making_Splinters]

The only people who have walked away with their credibility intact from this mess are Strauss and to a lesser degree Flower; many of the players have shown themselves to be deeply petty and acted in a manner that is contrary to the very message that the team has sought to present and the ECB has shown itself to be badly lacking in basic management skills.

Can you please expand on who these many players are.

Obviously KP, any and all players who have had any association with the KP parody - association is not the same as direct involvement before anyone decides to take that line again - and the players who have made comments about 10 and 1 in their various columns in the press.

[hopeforthebest]

The only people who have walked away with their credibility intact from this mess are Strauss and to a lesser degree Flower; many of the players have shown themselves to be deeply petty and acted in a manner that is contrary to the very message that the team has sought to present and the ECB has shown itself to be badly lacking in basic management skills.

Can you please expand on who these many players are.

Obviously KP, any and all players who have had any association with the KP parody - association is not the same as direct involvement before anyone decides to take that line again - and the players who have made comments about 10 and 1 in their various columns in the press.

Don't be coy Splinters, name names!!

[D/L]

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.

They’ve certainly not handled it perfectly, M_S, but I think “badly” is a little strong. They will have done, however, if Pietersen makes the T20 squad.

[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.

They’ve certainly not handled it perfectly, M_S, but I think “badly” is a little strong. They will have done, however, if Pietersen makes the T20 squad.

Not to get drawn into to a petty argument over subjective classifications over less than perfect handling, at least we can agree that the ECB have not dealt with the situation ideally, D/L. Which is something in and of itself considering our generally drastically different opinions!

[Making_Splinters]

The only people who have walked away with their credibility intact from this mess are Strauss and to a lesser degree Flower; many of the players have shown themselves to be deeply petty and acted in a manner that is contrary to the very message that the team has sought to present and the ECB has shown itself to be badly lacking in basic management skills.

Can you please expand on who these many players are.

Obviously KP, any and all players who have had any association with the KP parody - association is not the same as direct involvement before anyone decides to take that line again - and the players who have made comments about 10 and 1 in their various columns in the press.

Don't be coy Splinters, name names!!

Anyone can go and look up the players themselves if they really wanted to Hope.

I'm not setting out to make any individual a focal point or a scapegoat for criticism so general classifications of areas I feel that the issue has been badly dealt with over by the different parties more than suffices in my view.

[Robert]

The only people who have walked away with their credibility intact from this mess are Strauss and to a lesser degree Flower; many of the players have shown themselves to be deeply petty and acted in a manner that is contrary to the very message that the team has sought to present and the ECB has shown itself to be badly lacking in basic management skills.

Can you please expand on who these many players are.

Obviously KP, any and all players who have had any association with the KP parody - association is not the same as direct involvement before anyone decides to take that line again - and the players who have made comments about 10 and 1 in their various columns in the press.

There is absolutely no comparison between the conduct of the various players. The "KP parody" said nothing derogatory or offensive - it merely mocked his ego & self-absorption. Swann's book (several years after the fact) actually praised his batting, along with his (obvious) insuitability for the role of captain. I'm not sure which columns you're referring to. The one on Sunday attributed to Anderson highlighted (widespread) annoyance at the distraction which his situation had become.