The enigma that is Kevin Pietersen

[Kim]

Worth remembering that KP had no choice but to sign the ECB contract - even with the new clause that, it seems to me, was pretty targetted at him.

ECB might also reflect that if what they have done to KP is to stop others following his example, there is something basically wrong with what they are doing to the players.

[SaintPowelly]

Hows that he had no option but to sign ECB contract ??

[Kim]

Cricket is his job. No central contract would dramatically affect his earnings, pension, medical cover, security etc.

And he has little choice because, unlike the rest of us, he doesnt have an alternative employer to go to, however much he abhors a term of the contract.

[SaintPowelly]

the money he could make from the IPL alone as an independant contractor would be enough, plus he would still be picked for tests and paid as/when he plays them, so yeah, he did have an option.

[Kim]

the money he could make from the IPL alone as an independant contractor would be enough, plus he would still be picked for tests and paid as/when he plays them, so yeah, he did have an option.

Would he? Because hes so important to the team? Thats really worked for him in T20 hasnt it?

He wants to play tests. If he didnt sign the contract he would be earning about 350k less than Strauss for doing so. That would be right would it?

[andy]

he hasnt got a central contract now..

they have downgraded him a lesser contract, bit less money but its still a contract..

details of that came out when the announcement was made.

[Kim]

He has got a central contract. But its a Grade A not a grade A premium (something like that. Not sure of exact terms)

[braveneutral]

Oh dear, who thought I would ever be coming out in support of KP.

This is a Gayle situation waiting to happen, KP has fans like Gayle, he is an important part of the England set-up (like Gayle was to WI) and he is being managed in exactly the same way Gayle was. He is in effect being punished for being good. People are making this about the IPL, when really it isn't - it is about the management of players.

Arthur makes some excellent points about this, M_S about contracts and the ECB and rich about the ECB's policy regarding 'resting' in general so I shan't go over it with fear of not being able to add anything to the debate.

The only thing I would say is that I am sure most of us on here have had contracts at some point of our lives. With these contracts, we get holiday. Speaking from personal experience, a contract of mine forbade me to take holiday at certain times of the year as it was detrimental to the business (probably similar to the Central Contracts). However, if something came up and I desperately needed flexibility even this mega-company gave me time off. Albeit it may not have been the case for some employees, but that is the hypocrisy of business and perhaps in this case of the ECB.

ddb also makes the valid point of BCCI as compared to ECB in regards to resting players in inconsequential series, which unfortunately, this ODI series could be counted as. Maybe the ECB will learn from this and do better in the future.

If I were him, I would come out of retirement and make myself available just before the WT20. The media will love it.

[Kim]

http://www.thealternativecricketalmanac ... gland-odi/

[Arthur Crabtree]

This is KP's position in among England ODI batters.

Strike rates are meaningless for comparison, as they have shot up in the last ten years. But his is third only to Morgan and Flintoff among contemporaries. Who bat(ted) in the last 20 overs. He is bested only by Trott this century for averages. Who isn't finished. Second to Tres for tons. Who opened.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine ... pe=batting

It's a useful record.

Gooch/Trescothick/Stewart/Pietersen/Thorpe/Flintoff/Botham?

[ianp1970]

This is KP's position in among England ODI batters.

Strike rates are meaningless for comparison, as they have shot up in the last ten years. But his is third only to Morgan and Flintoff among contemporaries. Who bat(ted) in the last 20 overs. He is bested only by Trott this century for averages. Who isn't finished. Second to Tres for tons. Who opened.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine ... pe=batting

It's a useful record.

Gooch/Trescothick/Stewart/Pietersen/Thorpe/Flintoff/Botham?

Gooch/Trescothick/Hick/Pietersen/Fairbrother/Stewart/Flintoff/Botham/Swann/Gough/Underwood

[rich1uk]

the one thing that does make me chuckle about this thread is the same people who are outraged by KP wanting to supposedly pick and choose what games he plays in are those who wouldn't want him playing in the first place

[Arthur Crabtree]

Smith and Lamb and Knight to consider as well.

To complete.

Broad/Swann/Gough. I can have another batter. I think I'll have Colly.

Tres
Gooch
Stewart
Pietersen
Thorpe
Collingwood
Flintoff
Botham
Broad
Swann
Gough.

[Arthur Crabtree]

The food in this place is terrible.

Yes, and such small portions.

[Peter Lanky]

the one thing that does make me chuckle about this thread is the same people who are outraged by KP wanting to supposedly pick and choose what games he plays in are those who wouldn't want him playing in the first place

I recall many moons ago not objecting to him playing having qualified by the appropriate procedure, but objecting to him being referred to as an Englishman, which of course he isn't.