The enigma that is Kevin Pietersen

[SaintPowelly]

Practically life has moved on for England when he was not there for ODI series. In fact they won it 4-0. England has enough quality players to stand on their own in battign, bowling and fielding skillsets. It is not that England will never win a test match without KP. They will win, i bet. It is not that England are like WestIndies or some other weaker team who rely on one and only one cricketer to win a test. Cook, Struass, Trott and Bell are quality test match players. Anderson, Swann and Broad are match winners. Together with a settled team they will perform as good or much better. As for KP's replacement, it will take time and ECB know it if we know it. Fans on forums including me want a team of my own with players of my choice. IMO ECB have a better vision about English cricket than we have commenting form our home or office. The decision they have taken is not for funs sake. There is something which made them take the decision.

Long term I can buy that England could get stronger. For Thursday, no chance. You named 3 bowlers who are matchwinners, funnily enough no batsmen. Without his innings in SL or in this series it is possible that England would have lost 7 tests in 10 rather than 5. But that gets away from the point that dropping him under the reason of texts doesn't seem right, however good/bad he is.

I would agree in normal circumstances and if Bell/Cook had done the same thing it would be harsh, but with KP this is the straw that has broke the camels back.

[D/L]

That is over-egging it slightly. Pietersen had plenty of failures in that period (2005-09).

[greyblazer]

SA's team manager Dr Moosajee,

‘I can confirm that texts were sent but they contained friendly banter between guys who have played with each other in the past'

This guy has to be one liar

[D/L]

One man’s friendly banter can quite easily be another man’s unacceptable insult. I don't believe the recipients of the texts were the actual target of them.

[greyblazer]

And today the SA manager again reiterating the same point.

"Yes, text messages were sent but like we said before it was banter among team-mates, which is perfectly acceptable. The ECB has not made a formal approach to myself or any member of the team to see the text messages, as currently reported in the media"

[greyblazer]

So on assumptions that he has sent some derogatory messages you decide to drop a player. Well done.

[Kim]

Well England have been winning at home in one-day cricket since 06. In England you don't need big totals to win matches. Ok let us wait and watch to know whether KP makes any difference to the side. You rarely get players who can take the match away from the opposition like KP.

Think its hard to make an argument that England are good away from home with or without KP really.

Do think beating a poor Aussie side who, at least at the start, were out of season and then saying this shows we can do without KP is a bit silly. It just shows we can bat a poor Aussie side even when weakened.

I dont think we have a chance in the T20 Wcup without him.

KP carried England's batting on his shoulders from 05-09. Even this year he has been the best batsman. I don't worry if Flower resigns as you can definitely get better coaches than this stubborn man but without KP? it won't be easy. First up? of course you will find the difference in the t/20 WC.

Evidence of stubbornness? Plz.

[sussexpob]

One man’s friendly banter can quite easily be another man’s unacceptable insult. I don't believe the recipients of the texts were the actual target of them.

I would expect that someone who has turned into a symbol of South African domestic failures, who has a mind blowing record vs South Africa in ODIs(averages over a run a ball 64 in nearly 20 matches), who has just knocked your attack around for fun in the last match, and who has previous history with your captian and management and unkind words exchanged before between the two parties.... would not garner much support from his opposition.

Graham Smith for instance would probably be the first to jump on KP's back if there was a hint of truth in how bad these texts were.... I dont understand why South Africa would protect KP, they have bad history together.

[Gingerfinch]

And today the SA manager again reiterating the same point.

"Yes, text messages were sent but like we said before it was banter among team-mates, which is perfectly acceptable. The ECB has not made a formal approach to myself or any member of the team to see the text messages, as currently reported in the media"

banter amongst team mates?

Is KP returning to South Africa?

[D/L]

Anyone who thinks that Pietersen has been dropped on the assumption that he sent a derogatory text needs to wake up and smell the coffee. If the SA manager calls it banter among team mates (a member of the England team to a member of the South African), so does he.

The case for the defence continues to be both desperate and hilarious.

[Kim]

So on assumptions that he has sent some derogatory messages you decide to drop a player. Well done.

Thats not strictly right. He was asked to sign a document saying he hadnt sent derogatory texts about his captain to the opposition during a test. He wouldnt sign it. That's why he was dropped (or the stated reason anyway - which I dont buy).

Its very hard to think of a reason why he wouldnt sign it that doesnt involve the texts actually exisiting.

[Kim]

And today the SA manager again reiterating the same point.

"Yes, text messages were sent but like we said before it was banter among team-mates, which is perfectly acceptable. The ECB has not made a formal approach to myself or any member of the team to see the text messages, as currently reported in the media"

banter amongst team mates?

Is KP returning to South Africa?

[D/L]

One man’s friendly banter can quite easily be another man’s unacceptable insult. I don't believe the recipients of the texts were the actual target of them.

I would expect that someone who has turned into a symbol of South African domestic failures, who has a mind blowing record vs South Africa in ODIs(averages over a run a ball 64 in nearly 20 matches), who has just knocked your attack around for fun in the last match, and who has previous history with your captian and management and unkind words exchanged before between the two parties.... would not garner much support from his opposition.

Graham Smith for instance would probably be the first to jump on KP's back if there was a hint of truth in how bad these texts were.... I dont understand why South Africa would protect KP, they have bad history together.

The South Africans don’t need to do anything. It seems that Pietersen has done all the hard work for them. They are now maintaining a diplomatic silence.

[meninblue]

I can understand a cricketer having problem with one player or two. But he had issues with South African cricket board when he was young, now with English cricket board, then Moores, Andy and some other English players. Why is everyone having an issue adjusting only with KP.

[SaintPowelly]

I can understand a cricketer having problem with one player or two. But he had issues with South African cricket board when he was young, now with English cricket board, then Moores, Andy and some other English players. Why is everyone having an issue adjusting only with KP.

And the Nottinghamshire and Hampshire dressing rooms hate him too.