The enigma that is Kevin Pietersen

[D/L]

I odnt understand why the ECB is seen as the 'bad guy' here, they've been consistent in thier message and it is KP that has had to back down and agree that they were in the right.

could the ECB have handled it differently, probably not, especially with the KP media machine (inc Piers 'I hacked Phones' Morgan) behind him, and people who think the sun shine out of his arse defending him against the big bad ECB. Yet the ECB have to some extent pandered to his whims over the years, but the tide has changed and they are nolonger willing to put up with these tantrums that he throws.

And this situation is very similar to what happened with Moores, a public spat, KP threatening to resign unless the ECB did something, Moores insisting KP be removed as captain, the ECB sacking Moores, and then sacking KP as captain for the campaign against the coach.

In the end it was KP that announced his retirement then u-turned in a big way in a video, KP has to take responsibility for his actions and his retirement and texting of dergogatory or banter (depending on who you believe) messages to the opposition giving them the ammunition to undermined his team mates, and all that Strauss and Flower built.

It is KP that is the loser, and I couldnt care less if he ever pulls on an england shirt ever again, as no single person is bigger than the team, and no person is 100% secure. Players come and go for teams but the team lives on, and i will support England and the XI men that step onto the field of play regardless of who is or isnt in there, Win, Lose or Draw.

I also dont buy into the KP fan base that state people wont turn up to watch games if KP is not playing, there may be a few but does cricket really need these 'fly-by-night' fans, that would turn thier back as soon as england start losing?

A well presented and very fair summary of the situation, OSY.

I’d simply add that, if Pietersen does have more intelligence than he seems to have displayed during this episode, he need to take a long, hard look at his circle of “friends”.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Now that KP has finally taken the responsibility of all the mess he might be considered for the selection. However, i am afraid that he has already spoiled the team focus for this series as well as future ones. Also he has developed differences with the board, the captain, coach and players. I hope if he was a sensible cricketer too, not just a excellent batsman.

We know KP has apologised Adi, but we don't know why. But as as things stand, as long as Pietersen isn't punished further, and the ECB review how this situation was handled, I hope England just try and kill this story in the press and move on. My opinion of UK newspapers and the ECB further diminished.

[Making_Splinters]

The only people who have walked away with their credibility intact from this mess are Strauss and to a lesser degree Flower; many of the players have shown themselves to be deeply petty and acted in a manner that is contrary to the very message that the team has sought to present and the ECB has shown itself to be badly lacking in basic management skills.

Can you please expand on who these many players are.

Obviously KP, any and all players who have had any association with the KP parody - association is not the same as direct involvement before anyone decides to take that line again - and the players who have made comments about 10 and 1 in their various columns in the press.

There is absolutely no comparison between the conduct of the various players. The "KP parody" said nothing derogatory or offensive - it merely mocked his ego & self-absorption. Swann's book (several years after the fact) actually praised his batting, along with his (obvious) insuitability for the role of captain. I'm not sure which columns you're referring to. The one on Sunday attributed to Anderson highlighted (widespread) annoyance at the distraction which his situation had become.

If you'd read what was written then you'd note that there was no comparision given, merely an identification of areas where players actions have been outside the message the team has tried to push, I also made no mention of Swann's book because it has nothing to do with the topic I am adressing.

[hopeforthebest]

Now that KP has finally taken the responsibility of all the mess he might be considered for the selection. However, i am afraid that he has already spoiled the team focus for this series as well as future ones. Also he has developed differences with the board, the captain, coach and players. I hope if he was a sensible cricketer too, not just a excellent batsman.

We know KP has apologised Adi, but we don't know why. But as as things stand, as long as Pietersen isn't punished further, and the ECB review how this situation was handled, I hope England just try and kill this story in the press and move on. My opinion of UK newspapers and the ECB further diminished.

Apparently he has not apologised, his agent has sent a written apology on his behalf. Odd that his dealings with the ECB are primarily though his agent but where the public statements are concerned he makes them in person.

[D/L]

We know KP has apologised Adi, but we don't know why.

A reasonable guess would be that he wants to extend his playing career and maximise his income.

But as as things stand, as long as Pietersen isn't punished further, and the ECB review how this situation was handled, I hope England just try and kill this story in the press and move on. My opinion of UK newspapers and the ECB further diminished.

If Pietersen is selected for the T20 World Cup, he will not have been punished at all. His apology came too late for him to play at Lords.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I imagine Kevin wants to keep personal communication with Morris down to a minimum.

[D/L]

Surely, the apology was due primarily to the players he insulted in his text messages?

[OffStumpYorker]

D/L, my personal opinion is that KP is a very intelligent person, however that doesnt stop him being mislead/manipulated by those around him, especailly those who are simply hangers on and have vested interests, namely Agents, Managers etc.

We see the same in football, where Agents have seen a way to increase thier bank balance over the interests of the player, or use the threat of moving from a team to illict an increase in salary especially around contract negotiation time, which incidently is in progress at the moment with the ECB for the players.

Someone ask why Botham hasnt critisied KP, well I beleive its Bothams Agency (Mission Sports) that represents KP so hes hardly going to put him down as he could lose a source of income.

[D/L]

My only quibble with that would be over Pietersen’s intelligence, OSY.

[hopeforthebest]

Someone ask why Botham hasnt critisied KP, well I beleive its Bothams Agency (Mission Sports) that represents KP so hes hardly going to put him down as he could lose a source of income.

It is Mission sports but I don't believe Botham owns it, in fact Pietersen is a shareholder and director and Ian Bell one of it's clients.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Two things i didn't know. Broad was living with the man who started the fake KP twitter account. Broad joined an hour later.

The ECB sacked the person who put KP up for press duties after the Headingley Test.

Both these I've seen below the line on news stories. Anyone know if these are true? The second feels so believable that it should be true.

[shankycricket]

I am quite devastatingly pissed at all those who are drawing such strong generalisations about KP's personality.

[Gingerfinch]

I am quite devastatingly pissed at all those who are drawing such strong generalisations about KP's personality.

Just because people don't know him, they can still gauge an opinion through what they read. I never knew Hitler..........................

(not comparing the two, btw)

[OffStumpYorker]

Someone ask why Botham hasnt critisied KP, well I beleive its Bothams Agency (Mission Sports) that represents KP so hes hardly going to put him down as he could lose a source of income.

It is Mission sports but I don't believe Botham owns it, in fact Pietersen is a shareholder and director and Ian Bell one of it's clients.

Sorry I stand corrected, Botham is no longer a director however he did found it with Adam Wheatly so probably retains some interest in the company and has close ties with its existing directors.

[OffStumpYorker]

I am quite devastatingly pissed at all those who are drawing such strong generalisations about KP's personality.

But its alright for you to draw generalisations about those that work in the ECB and label them as untrustworthy, incompetant, even though you dont know them. Interesting, point of view.....