The enigma that is Kevin Pietersen

[Making_Splinters]

It is completely the ECBs problem, they have full control over where and when their centrally contracted players play, as other people have pointed out this until now has been glossed over by an ask no questions policy on the understanding that it does not affect your ability to compete for England. I would point out that the ECB choose when to release players to play in county cricket and their policy there has been a bone of contention for some players such as Bell in the past.

Now you could argue that it should be the player's responcibility to plan down the line, however once they are under contract with the IPL then that argument is very much a circular one, I would suggest that neither party is in the right here, the ECB let a player go knowing that he would play in every game once there and knowing what the international timetable was and fully aware that they were the only body that could alter any part of that equation so personally I feel they should be prepared to accept the almost certain consequences of that responcibility - other boards are proactive in managing their players regardless of where they are playing.

I'd also add I don't think there has been any solid answer of which series it was exactly KP wanted to be rested for.

As I've said in a previous post the only party that loses from the current situation is the ECB, and perhaps the paying public who might want to see KP playing this summer. It doesn't really matter to KP whether or not he plays limited overs cricket internationally so rather like trying to bluff a man holding a royal flush.

[OffStumpYorker]

I think we'll agree to disgree about the matter M_S.

If people only go to see the cricket to watch KP bat then I think its a sad day for the sport and shows how many 'fans' are only interested in trying to attach themselves to the success of the team and one or two 'star' players rather than being fans of the game.

As the saying goes "The King is Dead, Long Live the King", there will be other players like KP, maybe not as talented and definately not as ego centric, but is it a loss for England int he long term, that this has happened or a blessing in disguise. Only History will tell.

I cant help feeling that theres something else happned behind the scenes that we are not aware off that has forced KP into this situation, be it with the england set up OR an external incident, but a lot of teams will be breathing a sigh of relief by not having to face him in the T20 WC.

However there is a chance that he could still be selected for the T20 WC once he is on an Incremental contract in September.

[SaintPowelly]

However there is a chance that he could still be selected for the T20 WC once he is on an Incremental contract in September.

I wouldnt bet on it, would mean KP gets his way and the ECB would look weak.

[Kim]

I think we'll agree to disgree about the matter M_S.

If people only go to see the cricket to watch KP bat then I think its a sad day for the sport and shows how many 'fans' are only interested in trying to attach themselves to the success of the team and one or two 'star' players rather than being fans of the game.

As the saying goes "The King is Dead, Long Live the King", there will be other players like KP, maybe not as talented and definately not as ego centric, but is it a loss for England int he long term, that this has happened or a blessing in disguise. Only History will tell.

I cant help feeling that theres something else happned behind the scenes that we are not aware off that has forced KP into this situation, be it with the england set up OR an external incident, but a lot of teams will be breathing a sigh of relief by not having to face him in the T20 WC.

However there is a chance that he could still be selected for the T20 WC once he is on an Incremental contract in September.

He will either be on a central contract again or none at all.

And the T20 squad will be announced before his central contract runs out.

[mikesiva]

As I always say about rules whether you agree with them or not you have to accept that they are there. Now I agree despite the fact the ECB have bent rules in the past for other players they should not make an exception to a rule for a single player regardless of how important that player is to the side but I also don't think KP asked for an exception in the first place. I do however completely disagree with the rule and hope the ECB changes it come september. If they don't the only people who lose are the ECB and as we have seen with the WICB such stances can back fire.

That's a good point....

I don't think KP's request was that unreasonable. He wanted to quit ODIs and play Tests and T20s. I sympathise with that view, because I find ODIs boring now. My preference is Tests first, T20s second, and ODIs last. KP seems to share that view as well, and I don't think we're a small minority....

[dan08]

I don't think KP's request was that unreasonable. He wanted to quit ODIs and play Tests and T20s. I sympathise with that view, because I find ODIs boring now. My preference is Tests first, T20s second, and ODIs last.

[SaintPowelly]

As I always say about rules whether you agree with them or not you have to accept that they are there. Now I agree despite the fact the ECB have bent rules in the past for other players they should not make an exception to a rule for a single player regardless of how important that player is to the side but I also don't think KP asked for an exception in the first place. I do however completely disagree with the rule and hope the ECB changes it come september. If they don't the only people who lose are the ECB and as we have seen with the WICB such stances can back fire.

That's a good point....

I don't think KP's request was that unreasonable. He wanted to quit ODIs and play Tests and T20s. I sympathise with that view, because I find ODIs boring now. My preference is Tests first, T20s second, and ODIs last. KP seems to share that view as well, and I don't think we're a small minority....

And thats fine, but he signed a contract which means he had to be available for all ODIs this summer, and too complain of tiredness after going to the IPL is outrageous.

[GGAS]

I don't think KP's request was that unreasonable. He wanted to quit ODIs and play Tests and T20s. I sympathise with that view, because I find ODIs boring now. My preference is Tests first, T20s second, and ODIs last.

Agree. ODI's seem to have a dull period in the middle of each innings, and I rarely have time to catch a whole one.

[Gingerfinch]

John Etheridge from The Sun is suggesting that KP demanded rather than asked. If so, then good on the ECB. Of course The Sun many not have their facts right

[ddb]

I think you are still a minority, because people confuse the problem with ODIs, it isn't the format, it's overkill. If someone can find me an actual meaningful International t20(main argument against ODIs) they've watched bar World t20, I'd salute them. Because there isn't one. Two match series nearly all end 1-1. Asia Cup and Tri-series were actually some of the best cricket you could watch in the last few months(includes mainly IPL of course )

And when we ran this thread: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=6916&start=15 70/30, split.

And of course, what funds the game everywhere but Eng/Aus, ODIs, although maybe it's changing.

This article is still relevant and good as ever: http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/co ... 01125.html

Another good point is what would happen to Zim, Bang and Ireland without ODIs? How would they develop?

[D/L]

All of the foregoing, whether it is one’s personal format preference, what happens in other countries or how the ECB decide the matches that their contracted players may miss for their counties etc. is trumped by the argument that Pietersen, of his own free will and knowing what he was committing himself to, entered into a contract to be available for selection for all forms of international one day cricket.

Re the IPL, perhaps Pietersen should have considered the demands that this would place on him before signing his ECB central contract last October.

Rightly, the ECB realise that to make any exceptions for one player who wants to have his cake and eat it would only store up greater problems for the future than the one they have now.

[andy]

i agree with points about overkill..

i still enjoy odi's and fan's do, the only issue with them is overkill....reduce odi series to 3 matches i think would please everyone.

[meninblue]

i agree with points about overkill..

i still enjoy odi's and fan's do, the only issue with them is overkill....reduce odi series to 3 matches i think would please everyone.

Sponsors money is important. You reduce the matches in formats that sell and money earned is reduced. Also the sponsors have contracted with various boards for periods of 1 to 3 years. Legal issues can happen.

[SaintPowelly]

I dont see why we couldnt of made it a WI/Aus/Eng tri-series.

Im sure English fans would still go and see WI vs Aus, same amount of games for spectators and less games for players, simple.

[dan08]

I dont see why we couldnt of made it a WI/Aus/Eng tri-series.

Im sure English fans would still go and see WI vs Aus, same amount of games for spectators and less games for players, simple.

Don't think there would be enough time to schedule it. West Indies play New Zealand straight after this tour.