The enigma that is Kevin Pietersen

[Arthur Crabtree]

It's the team management's job to get the players to the ground in as good condition as possible to turn in the best performance they can. Comparison with heavy industry or playing conditions 50 years ago might be tongue in cheek, but they have no relevance to turing out a national side in this age.

[Peter Lanky]

It's the team management's job to get the players to the ground in as good condition as possible to turn in the best performance they can. Comparison with heavy industry or playing conditions 50 years ago might be tongue in cheek, but they have no relevance to touring out a national side in this age.

On the contrary, I think they have every relevance and are certainly not tongue in cheek.

We are talking here of extremely fortunate people who have a lifestyle in terms of enjoying their 'work' and the payment for it that most people would give anything for. They may be fitter than players in the past and have a few more expectations, but in the end they are doing something they enjoy immensely, and can also look forward to some very easy money when they retire at a very early age. Any player moaning because they are a little tired is not going to impress most people.

[meninblue]

It's the team management's job to get the players to the ground in as good condition as possible to turn in the best performance they can.

Arthur, i feel that it is primarily the players responsibility to be fit. Board can only provide support staff, hi tech gym access, nutrition products, hygienic hotel rooms for stay on tours, luxury class travel. Then still if there are fitness issues or need of rest for a player putting his own enough efforts to stay fit, the board should take further steps of providing off tours / rests. if there is no prudent effort by the player to be fit for priority tournament then the board would not be as much concerned about that particular player.

[Arthur Crabtree]

OK Adi, fair enough.

[D/L]

It's the team management's job to get the players to the ground in as good condition as possible to turn in the best performance they can. Comparison with heavy industry or playing conditions 50 years ago might be tongue in cheek, but they have no relevance to touring out a national side in this age.

On the contrary, I think they have every relevance and are certainly not tongue in cheek.

We are talking here of extremely fortunate people who have a lifestyle in terms of enjoying their 'work' and the payment for it that most people would give anything for. They may be fitter than players in the past and have a few more expectations, but in the end they are doing something they enjoy immensely, and can also look forward to some very easy money when they retire at a very early age. Any player moaning because they are a little tired is not going to impress most people.

Good points, well made, PL. I'd add to that, that not only do today's top players have a less onerous workload, they also have a much better support infrastructure, enabling them to extend their careers until they think they have enough money to retire comfortably. Few players of yesteryear were ever able to reach that point. I know that was then and this is now, but Pietersen will probably find even less sympathy amongst people who take into account the rewards received by top cricketers than it seems he got from the ECB.

[ddb]

@Isam84: Shakib has sent a letter to BCB asking for rest instead of playing Zim series... What do you think, should he get it or not? Give reasons...

[dan08]

@Isam84: Shakib has sent a letter to BCB asking for rest instead of playing Zim series... What do you think, should he get it or not? Give reasons...

He's been complaining about how tired he's been for ages which is why he pulled out of the Essex deal. Anyway, the Zimbabwe series isn't official, it's just a few friendlies.

[shankycricket]

So, you still believe that playing in the IPL has nothing to do with it?

It didnt stop Colly from being rested in 2010.

Can't remember that?

I think the ECB made the decision and not Flower regarding KP. I may be wrong though???

I think so too but I think Flower could have tried to do something if he really wanted KP.

whose to say he didnt try and reach a comprimise with the ECB and KP, Flower is only the coach and can only make a suggestion. And FYI, as saint points out Colly was rested after medical advise due to a shoulder injury.

Its also possible that the contracts were worded differently in 2010 which allowed for players to have play T20i's and miss ODI's.

No, he isnt. He is the Director of English cricket. He has more powers than a normal coach.

[meninblue]

I am wondering whether Andy Flower wants to show his authority or KP.

[meninblue]

It will be interesting to see what effect his retirement will have on the team as far as team environments is concerned. Also, will the captain find it easy to gel the team well now? The comments that will follow from the ODI captain Cook will throw some light on the dressing room atmosphere.

[OffStumpYorker]

No, he isnt. He is the Director of English cricket. He has more powers than a normal coach.

Shanky, most job titles dont mean a think now-adays, I went for a job that was basically a Technical lead position, yet the job title was Assistant Vice President of ?, yet had no power at all, even to the point of not being able to sign of subordinates holiday requests.

The director of Cricket is effectively Head coach, is responsible for the players on the field, and a member of the selection committee, at best he would act as a go between for the ECB and Players on issues with the ECB and Players as any head of department/director would initially do.

As I said we have absolutly no idea what role Flower played and whether he tried to reach a compromise between the ECB (the Employers) and KP (the Employee). Why do you think it took over a week to sort the issue out.

Probably timeline
Lords Test : KP speaks to Flower about giving up the ODI's and focusing on Tests and T20's
Lords Test : Flower arranges meeting with ECB to discuss matter
Interim Lords/TB : Flower meets ECB and disucsses matter and possible solutions.
Interim Lords/TB : Flower speaks to KP to give options, meeting arranged with ECB, KP and Flower
TB Test : KP, Flower and ECB meet to discuss options and ideas, no resolution
Post TB Test : KP, Flower and ECB decide on wording of retirement notification
Post TB Test : KP publically retires from ODI and T20i Cricket.

As this is what would happen in any organisation where there was a contractural dispute.

[rich1uk]

personally i think the reason it took so long to sort it out was that there was a series of bluffs and counter-bluffs being made by both parties trying to force the other to back down. both parties being stubborn that didn't happen. and instead of any sort of compromise being reached we have ended up in the current situation.

[meninblue]

As this is what would happen in any organisation where there was a contractural dispute.

[Making_Splinters]

To be honest if the ECB are making this about the IPL then they are setting themselves up for a crash further down the line. So far they have been able to get away with their policy of basically ignoring that it exists for two reasons: Firstly as of yet English players who play across the formats have not been attractive prospects within the IPL with only a handfull of what is of our players who have tried to get contracts being sucessful and secondly through their spending power being able to mitigate the dollar pull of the IPL through central contracts.

These two factors might not last forever and teams like New Zealand and the WICB have shown that boards putting the foot down and being wrapped up in their own hubris does not work.

[OffStumpYorker]

To be honest if the ECB are making this about the IPL then they are setting themselves up for a crash further down the line. So far they have been able to get away with their policy of basically ignoring that it exists for two reasons: Firstly as of yet English players who play across the formats have not been attractive prospects within the IPL with only a handfull of what is of our players who have tried to get contracts being sucessful and secondly through their spending power being able to mitigate the dollar pull of the IPL through central contracts.

These two factors might not last forever and teams like New Zealand and the WICB have shown that boards putting the foot down and being wrapped up in their own hubris does not work.

M_S, I doubt it is about the IPL, but the argument is that if a player complains about a crowded schedule and wants a rest, and does so AFTER playing in the IPL knowing full well that they have a full International summer and winter schedule then really that Is not the ECB's problem, it is the players problem as they are the one that decided to play the Extra cricket and take the money, when they could have had thier feet up, as you point out the ECB has no control over the players playing in the IPL, except for requiring that all players int he IPL compensate thier club to the tune of 10% of thier contract (Pro-rated for a player on a multi year contract), and so far have bent over backwards to allow players to play in the IPL, unless a centrally contracted player is injured that is.

To me its no different to a person who doesnt take breaks from work then complains about being tired and stressed and not having time to have a rest.