The enigma that is Kevin Pietersen

[greyblazer]

What I would like to understand from people who think it was right for KP to be dropped to ensure team unity etc, do you think Swanns comments in his bio were justified? Should he have been dropped too?

What did he say and was it done in jest?

So in your book you tell Patel is some lying mediocre fat spinner the other guy will think it was done in jest He once said Patel is an idiot too. Differences will always be there in the dressing room and when you lose you hear all this talk about team spirit

[shankycricket]

Warne and Gilly never liked each other. The last time I checked, they were a part of one of the most successful teams of all time.

[Gingerfinch]

What I would like to understand from people who think it was right for KP to be dropped to ensure team unity etc, do you think Swanns comments in his bio were justified? Should he have been dropped too?

What did he say and was it done in jest?

So in your book you tell Patel is some lying mediocre fat spinner the other guy will think it was done in jest He once said Patel is an idiot too. Differences will always be there in the dressing room and when you lose you hear all this talk about team spirit

That's why I asked.

Haven't read his book.

[meninblue]

What I would like to understand from people who think it was right for KP to be dropped to ensure team unity etc, do you think Swanns comments in his bio were justified? Should he have been dropped too?

Maybe Yes, if he too has not followed team ethics.

But unlike Swann, KP had many issues. First with Moores, then with IPL contract, now with Flower and Strauss.

He used retirement from short format as gamble. When it foiled he did an Afridi. Then he sends sms during important series revealing the rifts within team to his opponents in middle of important tour. It's just not about one issue.

[greyblazer]

If someone tells me even after touring away from home for some six months in a year there won't be differences then I won't believe. Sort out the differences and play your best team.

[Robert]

I don't buy the team unity thing.

Andy Cole & Teddy Sheringham didn't like each other at Man Utd. They still won loads of silverware. I have found that even in normal employment there will always be someone who doesn't get along with another, but as long as it doesn't get personal, there's no reason why they can't work in the same workplace in a professional manner.

If a manager is prepared to handle "awkward" team members, then fine. But he is under no obligation to do so - if he wants to rid himself of the distraction, then that is his right.

[greyblazer]

In simple words Gary Kirsten > Andy Flower.

[Gingerfinch]

I don't buy the team unity thing.

Andy Cole & Teddy Sheringham didn't like each other at Man Utd. They still won loads of silverware. I have found that even in normal employment there will always be someone who doesn't get along with another, but as long as it doesn't get personal, there's no reason why they can't work in the same workplace in a professional manner.

If a manager is prepared to handle "awkward" team members, then fine. But he is under no obligation to do so - if he wants to rid himself of the distraction, then that is his right.

Maybe KP doesn't get along with a few of them. Massive difference. Of course he may be Mr Popular for all I know.

[hopeforthebest]

What I would like to understand from people who think it was right for KP to be dropped to ensure team unity etc, do you think Swanns comments in his bio were justified? Should he have been dropped too?

He was dropped from the last test was he no?

[greyblazer]

What I saw is at Leeds is KP made runs, guided the young player at the crease and took wickets. You don't select players on the basis of whether he gets along well with others or not.

[Gingerfinch]

Shanky

Regarding, Warne & Gilchrist.

I have yet to see or play in a team where everybody likes each other but if you have one man who creates rifts, then you will have problems.

[greyblazer]

If you have 1 rule for KP you can't have another rule for someone else. Swann's book came just before the series against India and should have been dropped as he was creating dressing room problems

[Gingerfinch]

What I saw is at Leeds is KP made runs, guided the young player at the crease and took wickets. You don't select players on the basis of whether he gets along well with others or not.

I think things are derailing. He was dropped for slagging off his captain and coach, apparently.

[Aidan11]

I don't buy the team unity thing.

Andy Cole & Teddy Sheringham didn't like each other at Man Utd. They still won loads of silverware. I have found that even in normal employment there will always be someone who doesn't get along with another, but as long as it doesn't get personal, there's no reason why they can't work in the same workplace in a professional manner.

If a manager is prepared to handle "awkward" team members, then fine. But he is under no obligation to do so - if he wants to rid himself of the distraction, then that is his right.

It is, but KP is a box office draw. One of our top players (who else can boast three test double centuries?). A case of cutting off the nose to spite the face.

[shankycricket]

So KP doesnt get along with a few team members but he still performs? And the team members with whom he doesnt get along are not performing. So maybe those team members need to re- consider their professionalism. If KP can still perform, why cant they? It is not KP who is the problem clearly...