The enigma that is Kevin Pietersen

[Gingerfinch]

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

Chuckle away, but that’s simply not true. Pietersen is a good batsman and good enough to play in all forms of cricket. I, for one, have never criticised his selection.

However, I would criticise an individual who, of his own free will and in full knowledge of the commitment he was making, signed a twelve month contract with one of his employers, an employer who employs other people on an identical basis, and then expects that employer to make special dispensation for just one of them.

you mean like when strauss was allowed to miss the tour to bangladesh a few years ago , despite it including tests and despite him being the team captain, that sort of special dispensation that no-one has ever had in the past ?

Strauss wanted a rest because he was playing to much cricket for his country. KP wants a rest because he's tired. One of the reasons he is, the IPL. Please note that at the time, I was against our captain (Strauss) resting but there is a difference.

how do you know he asked for rest because he played in the IPL and that he wouldn't have asked for the same consideration even if he hadn't played in the IPL ?

"Oh, so you're ok to play in the IPL but not for us? Well tough"

asking to miss a few ODIs is a whole lot different to the captain missing a whole tour including tests

I don't and I doubt he mentioned the IPL but the ECB would have seen it like that, I'm certain of that.

"Oh, so you're ok to play in the IPL but not for England? Well tough"

[meninblue]

sorry adi but thats a ludicrous comparison

Here we go again. You're effectively saying "I don't agree with you, therefore I shall dismiss your opinion as ludicrous"

so you are saying comparing KPs situation with that of players that were banned for match fixing as a sensible comparison ?

and btw i dont have a problem with anyone who has a different opinion , i wasn't dismissing adi's opinion just his use of that specific comparison

No, I'm referring to the use of the word 'ludicrous', whatever context it is in. You used a similar term for one of my comments some time ago, though you changed it after giving it a little more thought, before I had chance to object. Such statements just end up leading to slanging matches.

I don't know the meaning of word ludicrous. I will google it though. Even if it means lack of cricket knowledge it is okay, i am fine with that comment. What matters to me is how much success i had on cricket field and how many trophies i won with batting. Not whether forum people thinks i am ludicrous at theoretical cricket. So guys just chill and enjoy, nothing to feel offended or lose patience about what happens on forum

[Arthur Crabtree]

Malinga has missed SL games to play IPL. Arguably he has modified his international career to play IPL.

[Gingerfinch]

Personally I may have made an exception for KP. This may have set a bad precedent but each case should be looked at differently so not any player can start dictating.

I can see why the ECB said it's none or both but to me it's like cutting off your nose to spite your face.

[meninblue]

Yes, he did. Things seem to be different now as far as him giving priority is concerned. This is welcome change. Will miss him in FL team though.

[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

Chuckle away, but that’s simply not true. Pietersen is a good batsman and good enough to play in all forms of cricket. I, for one, have never criticised his selection.

However, I would criticise an individual who, of his own free will and in full knowledge of the commitment he was making, signed a twelve month contract with one of his employers, an employer who employs other people on an identical basis, and then expects that employer to make special dispensation for just one of them.

you mean like when strauss was allowed to miss the tour to bangladesh a few years ago , despite it including tests and despite him being the team captain, that sort of special dispensation that no-one has ever had in the past ?

Strauss wanted a rest because he was playing to much cricket for his country. KP wants a rest because he's tired. One of the reasons he is, the IPL. Please note that at the time, I was against our captain (Strauss) resting but there is a difference.

You do realise he has played 7 IPL matches. That amounts to 280 overs and he didnt play bat full 20 overs in any of the matches. But even if you want to include the full duration of the match, it is 280 overs which is still a good 20 overs less than the length of 3 ODIs. He clearly cant be too tired by playing 3 ODIS?

[Peter Lanky]

You do realise he has played 7 IPL matches. That amounts to 280 overs, which is less than 3 ODIs.

As a fit athlete, he shouldn't be tired then.

[shankycricket]

You do realise he has played 7 IPL matches. That amounts to 280 overs, which is less than 3 ODIs.

As a fit athlete, he shouldn't be tired then.

Exactly my point. To suggest that he is tired because of the IPL is way too simplistic and a cheap shot at KP and the IPL. People need to look at the other cricket he has played in the last year or so and you may realise why he is actually tired. Its not because of the IPL and this comment is coming from a guy who wants the IPL to be scrapped.

[Gingerfinch]

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

Chuckle away, but that’s simply not true. Pietersen is a good batsman and good enough to play in all forms of cricket. I, for one, have never criticised his selection.

However, I would criticise an individual who, of his own free will and in full knowledge of the commitment he was making, signed a twelve month contract with one of his employers, an employer who employs other people on an identical basis, and then expects that employer to make special dispensation for just one of them.

you mean like when strauss was allowed to miss the tour to bangladesh a few years ago , despite it including tests and despite him being the team captain, that sort of special dispensation that no-one has ever had in the past ?

Strauss wanted a rest because he was playing to much cricket for his country. KP wants a rest because he's tired. One of the reasons he is, the IPL. Please note that at the time, I was against our captain (Strauss) resting but there is a difference.

You do realise he has played 7 IPL matches. That amounts to 280 overs and he didnt play bat full 20 overs in any of the matches. But even if you want to include the full duration of the match, it is 280 overs which is still a good 20 overs less than the length of 3 ODIs. He clearly cant be too tired by playing 3 ODIS?

I'm looking at it from the ECB's, point. Do you think they give a hoot about how much cricket he actually plays?

[OffStumpYorker]

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

Chuckle away, but that’s simply not true. Pietersen is a good batsman and good enough to play in all forms of cricket. I, for one, have never criticised his selection.

However, I would criticise an individual who, of his own free will and in full knowledge of the commitment he was making, signed a twelve month contract with one of his employers, an employer who employs other people on an identical basis, and then expects that employer to make special dispensation for just one of them.

you mean like when strauss was allowed to miss the tour to bangladesh a few years ago , despite it including tests and despite him being the team captain, that sort of special dispensation that no-one has ever had in the past ?

Strauss wanted a rest because he was playing to much cricket for his country. KP wants a rest because he's tired. One of the reasons he is, the IPL. Please note that at the time, I was against our captain (Strauss) resting but there is a difference.

You do realise he has played 7 IPL matches. That amounts to 280 overs and he didnt play bat full 20 overs in any of the matches. But even if you want to include the full duration of the match, it is 280 overs which is still a good 20 overs less than the length of 3 ODIs. He clearly cant be too tired by playing 3 ODIS?

While that is true, dont the team owners insist thier 'puppets' dance and kiss sponsers arses at the post match parties, I seem to remember a lot of Indian players like Dhoni complaining that it wasnt so much the matches but the constant after match parties and travelling times between venues that where the problem.

[meninblue]

The IPL matches end at night. Then there are parties which go till mid night. Then incomplete sleep followed by travel to other city. The body doesnt only tires by playing. Sleep, rest, travel fatigue are important factors.

[Arthur Crabtree]

True, it's the travel as much as the playing. And the lack of any settled life. Which is another reason why the ECB should be sympathetic to KP, and others' situation.

[Gingerfinch]

The IPL matches end at night. Then there are parties which go till mid night. Then incomplete sleep followed by travel to other city. The body doesnt only tires by playing. Sleep, rest, travel fatigue are important factors.

No, it's to do with the amount of overs he bats

[meninblue]

The IPL matches end at night. Then there are parties which go till mid night. Then incomplete sleep followed by travel to other city. The body doesnt only tires by playing. Sleep, rest, travel fatigue are important factors.

No, it's to do with the amount of overs he bats

Ginger, add to it the T20 hundred he scored in IPL in such heat and humid conditions.

[Peter Lanky]

Remember the days when people worked in heavy industry for up to 60 hours per week, often working in hot conditions doing work that many certainly did not enjoy, and earning enough to keep a roof over their head, food on the table and little else until they retired at 65 just before dying?

It's a good job they didn't have to cope with the trials and tribulations of playing a few games of cricket with a seven figure salary. I don't think they could have coped with the challenge.