Andy Flower sacked

[Arthur Crabtree]

I started out playing with freedom; I ended up caged. I had a good record as an opener and they asked me to bat at No6. It’s tough, but I’m disappointed with the way I responded to it.

Craig Kieswetter has commented on the fear that began to envelop his game as an international player, and the divisiveness in the England squad.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/j ... om-cliques

[Aidan11]

I think that also may be an indication of why KP is out in the cold.

A good piece by Kieswetter but leaves more questions than answers.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I think that also may be an indication of why KP is out in the cold.

Or an indication that he (and the other SA born players) were out in the cold even when in the squad.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Mainly though an insight into how things got towards the end under Flower. And back up for KP's description of a divided team.

[Gingerfinch]

Sounds a little like paranoia.

'I was asked to bat at six'

And?

[sussexpob]

Sounds a little like paranoia

Seems like a lot of people suffering from Paranoia at the same time, and paranoid about the same thing. And then a mere matter of chance that the data analysers all get the boot, and English batsman start expressing themselves.

Obviously, bare in mind that Keiswetter also really has nothing to gain by saying this.

[Gingerfinch]

He'll have a book out soon, so you can read all about it in there. I must admit, having a saffer and English side does sound a bit odd, and uncalled for.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I don't think having SA v Eng games is in itself suggestive of an unhappy camp. It could even indicate a side humorously at ease with itself. But what matters is that CK felt it represented a divided team and it unsettled him. There is also the suggestion of the side divided by Test and ODI players, which could be just put down to human nature. Or KP's stated division between batters and bowlers, which could be used positively by the coach, as it was by big Duncan. The problem is the divisions made some feel excluded and unwelcome. And as Craig says, his game became more and more inhibited, which really is the problem that the ODI side is currently wrestling with and the key to their dwindling performances from 2012-2015.

[Arthur Crabtree]

And when I talk about cliques, sometimes the ECB made them. Players were exhausted and asking for time off, but would be told they couldn't have a central contract if they dropped out of one format. They were terrified to miss a game in case it counted against them and they lost their place.

Compton and Pietersen talked about the expectation of playing through injuries. And we know about burn out. Did burn out lead to mental problems?