The enigma that is Kevin Pietersen

[Making_Splinters]

The journalist doesn't claim he was told personally by a source from the ECB, so there's no accusation of lying involved, just a natural scepticisme toward these unattributed sources.

I believe the term is "reporting in good faith", as I said previously I am no fan of anonymous sources as they undermine the credibility of reporting - a source at the ECB could be anyone from the cleaner to Morris after all - I've always been sceptical of something a person has said if they are not prepared to put their credibility on the line with it and equally in somecases where newsmen deliberately enhance the credibility of their sources by leaving them anonymous.

Of course this entire story has been nothing but a PR war from the get go with the ECB using terms such as "disapointed" and KPs many lines of "not being looked after" not helped by the press's willingness to try and turn this into KP vs Flower as well.

[battingforbell]

The Times have the story today. A denial would surely have been issued if the story was fabricated. You can't blame the media or journalists. This is a good story. Once out they could hardly suppress it. Although the Guardian appears to be taking that line. If it smears Kevin and it is true, well it is not a smear.

I have been supporting KP playing in the world t20 cup in the belief that this was his sole aim. As Central Contracts only introduced the clause last year it looked less ethical and more an opportunist move to block KP retiring from ODIs. I've said my bit on the power struggle between Flower and KP. It's a component of the whole. Flower does have virtue on his side but he is too heavy handed and a control freak. But the IPL issue has changed things. If that is what KP genuinely wants rather than playing for England, then he's more of a carpet bagger than I thought he was. He need someone like Strauss to bring him back to the team spirit. Let's hope he listens to him rather than to his agent/s.

[Aidan11]

Looks like this could be his last test series.

[hopeforthebest]

I wonder what state of mind Pietersen will be in for this first test, I can hardly believe he won't be affected. I suspect he will attempt to put on a performance to say 'this is what you'll miss' and either achieve it or, be back in the pavilion in double quick time.

[Making_Splinters]

I'm actually fairly amazed that this story has spread devoid of any context from either side.

Like I've said before I very much doubt KP is daft enough to think he can make such demands with any hope of success, his silence on the matter and actually on all cricket baring some friendly jibes with Steyn is rather interesting, he's never been one to keep his mouth shut and adding to that is the complete lack of comment the ECB have made on the matter too.

If this was such a huge story that is going to end KPs test career for England then you surely would expect something from either party.

Has the exact details of what the source told the reporter been made public yet?

There does seem to me to be a lot of furor over something so vague.

[Making_Splinters]

Even more strange that Miller was rather positive about KP coming back on Sunday:

This made me laugh though:

"The discussions are not to do with me and Kevin Pietersen, my job is to select the side from people available. Those discussions are between the ECB and the players [and] are private."

[ddb]

Remember if he does retire or whatever after SA series, he still needs a NOC from the ECB for 2 years to play IPL...

[OffStumpYorker]

Remember if he does retire or whatever after SA series, he still needs a NOC from the ECB for 2 years to play IPL...

Wwill he still need an NOC if he doesnt have a county cricket contract and thus is not technically under the control of the ECB?

[ddb]

http://bit.ly/NwHEQH

Page 7/8. To stop that sort of situation, I guess.

[OffStumpYorker]

http://bit.ly/NwHEQH

Page 7/8. To stop that sort of situation, I guess.

Thanks ddb, seems clear that the ECB culd refuse an NOc, though I suspect they have already issued him with one for the duration of his current IPL contract (3 years??)

[battingforbell]

No news of the England camp. No interviews, pix. It has gone very quiet. I would guess negotiations are still going on between KP and ECB? It's likely the IPL story was leaked to get it off the table. Flower wouldn't be keen on a compromise though. KP is going to have to back down if he wants to get into the T20 squad tomorrow. They might put a gloss on it but no IPL leave. KP has lost a lot of fans. But they will all be back if he top scores. Not me though. Not sure the dressing room will be happy. Disruptive before major Series.

[sussexpob]

Remember if he does retire or whatever after SA series, he still needs a NOC from the ECB for 2 years to play IPL...

I think the WICB conceeded that they had to backdown with Chris Gayle because refusing to issue a NOC was effectively restraint of trade, so no, I doubt that the NOC issue is much of a card the ECB has in their hands.

Restraint of trade has always favoured the employee over employer, and the fact that Pietersen has effectively retired means that the IPL does not interfere with the ECB schedules or his availability, he has already retired and is thus unavailable for the said matches. .... there is no reason for them therefore to block his attempts to play IPL, the format does not work against the ECB or county cricket in a legal sense.

Furthermore, a court would frown strongly on the fact that Pietersen had tried to compromise and make himself available for most of the calendar, and as a result the ECB are taking a childish point of rejecting his selection for those matches he could be available for.

I agree with the middle and end of this article, some great points on the issue imo, echoing what I said yesterday.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/co ... 72662.html

[hopeforthebest]

On the cricinfo homepage there's a photo of Pietersen and Flower that gives the impression they are almost side by side. I'm sure this a clever piece of photo journalism and they are 100 meters apart.

[Making_Splinters]

No news of the England camp. No interviews, pix. It has gone very quiet. I would guess negotiations are still going on between KP and ECB? It's likely the IPL story was leaked to get it off the table. Flower wouldn't be keen on a compromise though. KP is going to have to back down if he wants to get into the T20 squad tomorrow. They might put a gloss on it but no IPL leave. KP has lost a lot of fans. But they will all be back if he top scores. Not me though. Not sure the dressing room will be happy. Disruptive before major Series.

Jimmy summed it up best in his interview for Sky today, "You talk about KP we'll get on and play cricket".

[battingforbell]

On the cricinfo homepage there's a photo of Pietersen and Flower that gives the impression they are almost side by side. I'm sure this a clever piece of photo journalism and they are 100 meters apart.

You could be right. I have been trying to check out the body language. There is a pic of Trott, Bell and Strauss all together and KP sitting on a tractor by himself. KP looks a little abashed but he might have just coughed.
At least there are pix. So I am a little relieved. Interview with Jimmy.