The enigma that is Kevin Pietersen

[idlebrain]

The severity of what Swann did does not compare, especially when you put into context what he actually said.

Broad on the other hand has done nothing, apart from be friends with someone who thinks he's funny.

Then how do we explain that Broad's friend is privy to info that is supposedly 'dressing room chatter"!!!

[#Brown]

"Probably the ECB is doing what it feels is best for the long term interests of ECB..."

I certainly hope they are doing this.

"Then how do we explain that Broad's friend is privy to info that is supposedly 'dressing room chatter"!!!"

Did you read any of the tweets from that account?

[D/L]

Apparently, the individual concerned has stated that no cricketers were involved in the “spoof” account.
Drop Broad for cricketing reasons, but not on the basis of tittle-tattle.

Well, apperently, the SA cricketers, their manager etc also said that the texts were mere banter and not serious. But wasnt that taken as very serious and not ignored as tittle-tattle?

Very funny, these excuses to defend players like Broad and Swann.

Yes, KP did something which he shouldnt have done, but others(read Broad and Swann) arent angels... infact they are stoking the fire and getting away scott free.

It is a fact that texts were sent. It is a fact that they were derogatory (or, in Pietersen’s words, provocative). The SA management obviously regard them differently because the offensiveness they contained was not directed at them.

This is not tittle-tattle and there is clearly no comparison between these incidents. Even now, after Pietersen has apologised, effectively confessing, people are still clutching at straws to defend his stupid and insulting behaviour.

[idlebrain]

Did you read any of the tweets from that account?

Nope! I just felt that KP might have some basis to believe so (typically some dressing room comments being parodied etc)! So thought that might be one angle to look at it!

[D/L]

Apparently, the individual concerned has stated that no cricketers were involved in the “spoof” account.
Drop Broad for cricketing reasons, but not on the basis of tittle-tattle.

Well, apperently, the SA cricketers, their manager etc also said that the texts were mere banter and not serious. But wasnt that taken as very serious and not ignored as tittle-tattle?

Very funny, these excuses to defend players like Broad and Swann.

Yes, KP did something which he shouldnt have done, but others(read Broad and Swann) arent angels... infact they are stoking the fire and getting away scott free.

The double standards are blindingly obvious, arent they?

seems to be as fitting a reply to that as any words and see above reply to Dilbert.

[idlebrain]

Its clear that KP is increasingly in love with IPL and his statement this April "The IPL is very much struggling to find acceptance back home.It saddens me because I have had an amazing time at the IPL. It's down to a lot of jealousy I think, which is sad.It saddens me, all the negative publicity the IPL gets in the [UK] media, I don't know why." might just have sealed his fate as far as ECB is concerned.

Imagine overly praising a tournament which your paymasters absolutely hates and then to put it down to jealousy!!!!

[D/L]

Now it seems ECB wants the actual contents of the texts to be revealed.... This almost seems like a witch hunt now!

Some of the things I have observed in this whole saga is

- Increasingly stringent demands (apologies / clarifications / disciplinary actions etc) on KP from ECB
- Stringent application of rules on KP vis-a-vis say, Broad or Swann
- The whole English media seems to be siding with ECB (I have seen media blaming SA for leaking the texts but no such questions on how KP's contract negotiations were leaked to media) etc...

All this leads me to wonder ... if the whole attempt is to make an example out of KP so that nobody dares put IPL above English cricket because if they give in to KP's demand there will be definite long term consequences... other players might demand the same and add to it the potential scenario that IPL might expand further and clash more and more with English Season..

Probably the ECB is doing what it feels is best for the long term interests of ECB...

Just my conspiracy theory!!!

My theory is that Pietersen was well out of order, admitted his actions (eventually) and may still escape with a lenient punishment, or none at all in cricketing terms (if he’s selected for the T20 World Cup).

He can’t escape the opprobrium of most of the cricket watching public though.

For reasons already mentioned, the Swann and Broad things are complete red herrings.

[idlebrain]

Now it seems ECB wants the actual contents of the texts to be revealed.... This almost seems like a witch hunt now!

Some of the things I have observed in this whole saga is

- Increasingly stringent demands (apologies / clarifications / disciplinary actions etc) on KP from ECB
- Stringent application of rules on KP vis-a-vis say, Broad or Swann
- The whole English media seems to be siding with ECB (I have seen media blaming SA for leaking the texts but no such questions on how KP's contract negotiations were leaked to media) etc...

All this leads me to wonder ... if the whole attempt is to make an example out of KP so that nobody dares put IPL above English cricket because if they give in to KP's demand there will be definite long term consequences... other players might demand the same and add to it the potential scenario that IPL might expand further and clash more and more with English Season..

Probably the ECB is doing what it feels is best for the long term interests of ECB...

Just my conspiracy theory!!!

My theory is that Pietersen was well out of order, admitted his actions (eventually) and may still escape with a lenient punishment, or none at all in cricketing terms (if he’s selected for the T20 World Cup).

He can’t escape the opprobrium of most of the cricket watching public though.

For reasons already mentioned, the Swann and Broad things are complete red herrings.

I felt the moment KP said he is available for all formats (via youtube) ECB had won that particular battle! But I am surprised the ECB is not happy with this and has pursued such a stringent approach on 'texts" that are private and that too on the eve of such an important match. Hence I felt there is more than meets the eye here!!!

Perhaps to their credit ECB is being principled here. But some how I, being oriental, am more cynical!!!

[Arthur Crabtree]

Probably the ECB is doing what it feels is best for the long term interests of ECB...

Just my conspiracy theory!!! :-)

Its a reasonable conclusion, and one that it would be naive to dismiss. Of course, the principle purpose of any organisation is its self preservation. That doesn't have to be a bad thing. But when you add the common personal dislike of Kevin, and the particular way he has been dealt with, it seems sensible to wonder how far the ship has been blown off course.

[Dilbert]

Apparently, the individual concerned has stated that no cricketers were involved in the “spoof” account.
Drop Broad for cricketing reasons, but not on the basis of tittle-tattle.

Well, apperently, the SA cricketers, their manager etc also said that the texts were mere banter and not serious. But wasnt that taken as very serious and not ignored as tittle-tattle?

Very funny, these excuses to defend players like Broad and Swann.

Yes, KP did something which he shouldnt have done, but others(read Broad and Swann) arent angels... infact they are stoking the fire and getting away scott free.

It is a fact that texts were sent. It is a fact that they were derogatory (or, in Pietersen’s words, provocative). The SA management obviously regard them differently because the offensiveness they contained was not directed at them.

This is not tittle-tattle and there is clearly no comparison between these incidents. Even now, after Pietersen has apologised, effectively confessing, people are still clutching at straws to defend his stupid and insulting behaviour.

The basic assumption that people (or rather me in this case) are defending his stupid and insulting behaviour is so incorrect. I have never defended his behaviour. What I find "stupid" is the double standards in case of Broad and Swann.

I never saw any reprimand or action on Swann or Broad. Now if you believe those tweets about KP were not a result of some dressing room info divluged by Broad, then thats your stand, I cant change it. Its just that KP's texts were somehow seen by ECB, or they got access to them, hence he had to confess, whereas the blue eyed boy got away with it because there was no proof he fed that information to his roomie.
Seems very clear KP was offended, was frustrated, and was alienated by some team members, hence he did that out of frustration. Which was wrong, but ECB seem to drive him further and further into the corner, and turn a blind eye towards others.

Even if for a moment we agree that what Broad / Swann did was banter or something trivial compared to KPs antics, its just stoking the fire and completely irresponsible behaviour. If they genuinely want to resolve the situation, they should tell these to shut up, but clearly thats not happening.

If you read my posts on this thread, you will see I am never saying KP is right or innocent. So please put my arguements in that perspective and then respond.

[Making_Splinters]

To be honest it's hard not to draw the conclusion that the ECB has been played by a wonderfully orchestrated South African plan.

Consider what we know for definite which is only that KP sent one or more South African players a text message the content of which has yet to be publically confirmed by any party. The story is then reported in the Daily Mail who make the claim that these messages were derogatory in nature and were sent to Steyn and AB while at the same time including a quote that denied these messages were anything but banter.

The only place that the fact the messages had been sent and the suggestion about their content could have come from is the South African camp, yet from day one they have denied their nature and even denied to confirm which players they were sent to, the ECB has never confirmed the content from the South Africans instead demanding that KP describe exactly what was said.

The South Africans have pulled off a wonderful plan by planting a story that they knew would cause an almighty *modded* storm in the press and England camp then adopted a policy of complete deniability in public and the ECB has swallowed this whole sale with out ever independently confirming any of it.

It's utterly bizzare.

[SaintPowelly]

For everyone going on about Swanns book, you do realise that before it was published it would of been proof-read by the ECB.

[Gingerfinch]

KP's book will be an interesting read.

[Dilbert]

For everyone going on about Swanns book, you do realise that before it was published it would of been proof-read by the ECB.

In that case, they allowing criticism of one active player by another active team member seems to go against the ethos of sanctity of dressing room etc which KP has apperently broken...

[Gingerfinch]

He should have asked first, Dilbert