The enigma that is Kevin Pietersen

[Alviro Patterson]

What coach is going to look at all of this, and think they want to be a part of it? The wages had better be good.

Anyone who wants KP in the team won't be considered which doesn't leave many coaches...

Not just the KP issue, but the leaks. Why would you want to work with admin who would make the mediocre comment? Would you want Strauss for your boss who has no qualifications for his position?

I find it surprising that Gillespie is apparently put his name forward. He would be crazy to take the opportunity of career suicide

I heard it's the other way round. ECB compiling their shortlist and publically declaring their interest in Gillespie, who will be making an approach in due course.

Say if Gillespie did get the England gig, he would never pick KP. Dizzy has built a successful Yorkshire side on team unity and players who threatened it were not in the team for long, regardless of ability.

[Arthur Crabtree]

But he won't get to make that decision.

[Alviro Patterson]

But he won't get to make that decision.

Which makes Gillespies job all the more easier. Rather than be stuck in an on-going debate over Kevin Pietersen, Dizzy focuses on what he does best and develop a bunch of talented England players into World Class stars.

[sussexpob]

So far its interesting to note the amount of people in the game, and around the world, that seem to side with KP and negate this "toxic character" BS that the ECB are sticking to.

Best spinner of all time, Shane Warne, seems to think this is nonsense
Best pace bowler of his generation, Dale Steyn, said before that bowling to a KP "less" England made them a worse team and that he was a top player
Arguably the best all format batter in the world in the last few years, Sangakkarra, has spoken out about the decision
Best limited overs player in the World currently, Kohli, said he was the perfect team man
I believe ABDV and KP are friends (it was ABDV that he apparently spoke to in textgate), as is Graeme Smith, who has made public his disregard for this
Michael Clarke said last month "from an Australian perspective I am happy he is not playing, he is a wonderful player"... and continued to say he thought Pietersen should be in
Chris Gayle thought the sacking was disrespectful.... Murali said he was still a class act

There aren't many people coming out and saying "nah, hes finished"..... it would seem the best players in the world feel sympathy for him

Outside of England, it would seem those that have worked in T20 teams with him have nothing but positives to say, as to the younger English players.

[Arthur Crabtree]

And if the list of players he can't pick from is expended?

I can't go down this route anyway, Al, as I think where KP acted badly it was through provocation. A good manager or coach wouldn't have had issues. But if JG doesn't want to pick his best players, I'm not sure he's a good choice as coach.

[sussexpob]

And if the list of players he can't pick from is expended?

I can't go down this route anyway, Al, as I think where KP acted badly it was through provocation. A good manager or coach wouldn't have had issues. But if JG doesn't want to pick his best players, I'm not sure he's a good choice as coach.

Didn't seem to have a problem with Andrew Gale racially abusing Ashwell Prince

[Aidan11]

Any coach worth his salt would insist on being able to pick any eligible player without interference from upstairs.

A couple of examples in football -

Alf Ramsey threatened to resign in the middle of the 66 WC because he was told not to select Nobby Stiles for the next game. Ramsey got his way.

Fabio Capello was told he could not pick John Terry after his off-field embarrassments. Capello resigned.

[Gingerfinch]

Any coach worth his salt would insist on being able to pick any eligible player without interference from upstairs.

A couple of examples in football -

Alf Ramsey threatened to resign in the middle of the 66 WC because he was told not to select Nobby Stiles for the next game. Ramsey got his way.

Fabio Capello was told he could not pick John Terry after his off-field embarrassments. Capello resigned.

Who picks the team is one issue Strauss needs to sort out.

[sussexpob]

Any coach worth his salt would insist on being able to pick any eligible player without interference from upstairs.

A couple of examples in football -

Alf Ramsey threatened to resign in the middle of the 66 WC because he was told not to select Nobby Stiles for the next game. Ramsey got his way.

Fabio Capello was told he could not pick John Terry after his off-field embarrassments. Capello resigned.

Who picks the team is one issue Strauss needs to sort out.

He already avoided the issue. The selection structure in place stays until next year he said earlier

[Gingerfinch]

Any coach worth his salt would insist on being able to pick any eligible player without interference from upstairs.

A couple of examples in football -

Alf Ramsey threatened to resign in the middle of the 66 WC because he was told not to select Nobby Stiles for the next game. Ramsey got his way.

Fabio Capello was told he could not pick John Terry after his off-field embarrassments. Capello resigned.

Who picks the team is one issue Strauss needs to sort out.

He already avoided the issue. The selection structure in place stays until next year he said earlier

Cheers.

I'm not a fan of that particular structure, whatever that is.

The coach should take over selection, along with the skipper.

[Alviro Patterson]

And if the list of players he can't pick from is expended?

I can't go down this route anyway, Al, as I think where KP acted badly it was through provocation. A good manager or coach wouldn't have had issues. But if JG doesn't want to pick his best players, I'm not sure he's a good choice as coach.

Except that there are no other England players who have caused anywhere near as much disruption as KP.

A coach is responsible for team performance and results, not for controlling an individual players personality. If an individual player behaves in a way which affects the team, then the coach has every right not to select that player.

Didn't seem to have a problem with Andrew Gale racially abusing Ashwell Prince

Except that Gale wasn't found guilty of racially absuing Ashwell Prince and has been dealt with accordingly.

[Arthur Crabtree]

We've just completed a circle there. Gillespie won't get the choice.

There have been other incidents. Anderson was involved in fake twitter and the abuse of an Indian player, as well as (allegedly) the bullying of other players. Swann was involved in fake twitter, the (alleged) bullying of players, and wrote a book criticising team mates. Up until his sacking, KP had been guilty of being friendly with opposition players, wondering why Nick Knight was commentating on Tests, and calling Strauss a 'doos'. Only one player has been punished, and all the others were protected. KP's pleas for player rotation, not to play all formats, and to play IPL were ideas ahead of their time.

My view has always been that the ECB isolated KP over his wish to play in the IPL, to protect the central contracts, and continually leaked against him until KP reacted. And then they punished the reaction. These were the sorts of behaviours that you are suggesting should make him toxic to Gillespie. But, I'd hope would be accommodated by someone hoping to be England coach.

KP had the drive to be a winner, and played with a lack of fear, managing to be unhindered by the travails of his colleagues. That actually made him a valuable team member.

[Arthur Crabtree]

If Gale has been dealt with accordingly, it wasn't by sacking him.

[Aidan11]

Did I hear right that Strauss has held his hand up to the leak that Moores was the last to know about his sacking?


If that's the case then how can Strauss be trusted?

[Arthur Crabtree]

I think it's well known that. He told Nick Knight, who gave it to Sky.