The enigma that is Kevin Pietersen

[Alviro Patterson]

And KP never said he doesnt enjoy ODIs, it was Swann who said that. KP's problem was more to do with the overkill of ODI matches and not with the format as such.

But he signed a contract last year, that said he will play in ODIs required, therefore he shouldnt be asking to miss games.

But centrally contracted players have been rested in the past. Read my previous post. So its not ridiculous for KP to ask for a rest.

Strauss got rested for the Bangladesh series because he played cricket for England 11 months out of 12.

January to April 2009: England tour of West Indies
May 2009: West Indies tour of England
July to September 2009: Ashes Series
September/October 2009: ICC Champions Trophy
November 2009 to January 2010: England tour of South Africa

Graeme Swann and Paul Collingwood played in those fixtures plus the World Twenty20 in June 2009, England tour of Bangladesh in March 2010 and World Twenty20 in May 2010 hence being rested at some part for the home Bangladesh series.

Before England went on tour of Abu Dhabi and Sri Lanka, most players including KP got a 2 month break in November/December 2011. Most England players didn't disappear to play in the IPL after going to Sri Lanka, they knew they would be involved in 10 test matches, 12 ODIs, 5T20is and a World Twenty20 from May to December 2012.

Also KP is in the peak of his career, not in the twilight stages like Tendulkar and Dravid. If he's complaining of tiredness now then it's the beginning of the end of an international career.

[ddb]

Most England players didn't disappear to play in the IPL after going to Sri Lanka, they knew they would be involved in 10 test matches, 12 ODIs, 5T20is and a World Twenty20 from May to December 2012.

lol, no, basically all went into the auction, they were just fortunate/unfortunate not to be bought. So that statement holds no weight at all.

And the tiredness issue is there, no one can change the facts that he's played the 2nd most international cricket of anyone in last 7 years. Dhoni is first, similar age and his career may have been cut short because of it. That may be the way it's going to be in the future.

[Alviro Patterson]

Most England players didn't disappear to play in the IPL after going to Sri Lanka, they knew they would be involved in 10 test matches, 12 ODIs, 5T20is and a World Twenty20 from May to December 2012.

lol, no, basically all went into the auction, they were just fortunate/unfortunate not to be bought. So that statement holds no weight at all.

http://www.ipl-schedule.net/ipl-2012-pl ... d-players/

[SaintPowelly]

But the point is, if KP is concerned about fatigued, why sign up for the IPL in the first place.

[ddb]

Most England players didn't disappear to play in the IPL after going to Sri Lanka, they knew they would be involved in 10 test matches, 12 ODIs, 5T20is and a World Twenty20 from May to December 2012.

lol, no, basically all went into the auction, they were just fortunate/unfortunate not to be bought. So that statement holds no weight at all.

http://www.ipl-schedule.net/ipl-2012-pl ... d-players/

That list is wrong as it misses out Bell. (I think Cook was there too, but not 100% sure) But again for the millionth time, 2012 was not the year KP joined the auction. 2011 was.

And in 2011, the unsold England test players(when they knew franchises had the most money to spend) were:

Chris Tremlett
Graeme Swann
Ian Bell
James Anderson
Jonathan Trott
Matt Prior
Monty Panesar
Ravi Bopara
Samit Patel
Tim Bresnan

So in the recent test team, only Strauss and Bairstow have no links to the IPL auction.

EDIT: So many lists around, seems Cook may also be one of these committed guys, actually.

[Alviro Patterson]

But the point is, if KP is concerned about fatigued, why sign up for the IPL in the first place.

Indeed, County Cricketers didn't like playing 16 Twenty20 games and 2 County Championship matches in the space of 6 weeks.

As soon as the Sri Lanka test series is finished, KP is on a plane to India to play 8 IPL matches stating it's good preparation. In contrast other contracted players, not complaining of tiredness had some form of rest before preparing for the Windies series.

http://www.ecb.co.uk/ecb/about-ecb/medi ... 19,EN.html

[ddb]

But the point is, if KP is concerned about fatigued, why sign up for the IPL in the first place.

Indeed, County Cricketers didn't like playing 16 Twenty20 games and 2 County Championship matches in the space of 6 weeks.

As soon as the Sri Lanka test series is finished, KP is on a plane to India to play 8 IPL matches stating it's good preparation. In contrast other contracted players, not complaining of tiredness had some form of rest before preparing for the Windies series.

http://www.ecb.co.uk/ecb/about-ecb/medi ... 19,EN.html

Again, the other players if bought when they put themselves in the auction like KP would have done the same. As they're contractual obliged to the IPL to do that.

Your argument is non-existent.

[SaintPowelly]

The problem isnt that he went to the IPL, only Surrey missed out because of that, the problem is he was fit enough to play for Dehli, but too tired to play for England.

[ddb]

The problem isnt that he went to the IPL, only Surrey missed out because of that, the problem is he was fit enough to play for Dehli, but too tired to play for England.

That's his decision, I don't see what's so wrong with wanting to miss some of the 14 ODIs and I like ODIs.

[SaintPowelly]

The problem isnt that he went to the IPL, only Surrey missed out because of that, the problem is he was fit enough to play for Dehli, but too tired to play for England.

That's his decision, I don't see what's so wrong with wanting to miss some of the 14 ODIs and I like ODIs.

Because he signed an ECB contract that means he is available for all 14 ODIs

[ddb]

The problem isnt that he went to the IPL, only Surrey missed out because of that, the problem is he was fit enough to play for Dehli, but too tired to play for England.

That's his decision, I don't see what's so wrong with wanting to miss some of the 14 ODIs and I like ODIs.

Because he signed an ECB contract that means he is available for all 14 ODIs

Full circle!

[Arthur Crabtree]

This is beginning to sound like an episode of Columbo.

But why would Mr Pietersen go to Delhi if he said he was tired....

There were others on that list. Bresnan, Swann... Look lieutenant, at all these names...

As soon as he left Sri Lanka, he was on the plane... Why?...

Out of role play now.

We all know why KP went to India. Because it was a glossy, high profile production. Because the world's best players would be there, and maybe if he wasn't what would that mean? Because of the big crowds and the attention. And as some have been disingenuously fishing for, hence all this TVM dialogue, for the money. KP was born for the IPL.

It doesn't really change anything though. And we are going around for the second time.

[SaintPowelly]

There were others on that list. Bresnan, Swann

And if either of them had of gone and then wanted time off from playing for England, they'd get the same criticism.

[shankycricket]

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.

He has an English mother.

[Alviro Patterson]

Again, the other players if bought when they put themselves in the auction like KP would have done the same. As they're contractual obliged to the IPL to do that.

Your argument is non-existent.

Your argument is flawed because most players auctioned aren't proven T20 players or their reserve value is excessive. Andrew Gale and Anthony McGrath put their names in one IPL auction but they were never snapped up.

Besides out of that 2011 list, only Ian Bell played in every game in Australia and World Cup whereas other players were rested at some point or didn't even feature.

Ian Bell
Chris Tremlett - Missed 3 Australia ODIs and 5 World Cup games
Graeme Swann - Missed 6 Australia ODIs
James Anderson - Missed the Prime Ministers XI, Aus T20 series and 1st 3 Aus ODIs
Jonathan Trott - Missed Aus T20 series.
Matt Prior - Wasn't in the Australia ODI squad
Monty Panesar - Wasn't in the Australia ODI or World Cup squad
Ravi Bopara - Didn't tour Australia and missed 2 World Cup games
Samit Patel - Wasn't in the tour of Australia or World Cup squad
Tim Bresnan - Didn't play 1st 3 Ashes tests