The enigma that is Kevin Pietersen

[OffStumpYorker]

I find it difficult to believe that the ECB will offer him an incremental contract, I think it will be a full central contract or nothing. The stated aim has been that he must commit himself to play all forms of cricket and that means a central contract.

He wouldnt sign one anyway. An incremental contract essentially gives ECB full control of his movements and playing time - but all he gets in return is a smallish (50k) one off payment. No benefit to KP at all. Thats why Flintoff turned an incremental contract down. Incremental is essentially a cheap (for the ECB) central contract that gives them control of fringe players.

I thought Incrementals were sort of a retainer to give them some additional cash over and above a county salary, and gave the player more freedom as the ECB can only request that a player doesnt play for the county, and its with prior agreement that they play for foreign leagues (eg IPL), so if it was negotiated that KP played in a Full IPL but was available for the Champions Trophy, other ODI series and Ashes next year then its a win win situation for both parties.

Presonal view is that if KP doesnt go to India we wont see him play for England again. Whether you agree with it or not, his non selection will mean theyve balanced up his playing ability against effect on "team unity" and decided, rightly or wrongly, that team unity comes first. And if it does, the longer he is out the less likely it is they will risk him being "disruptive" again, as the team "unites' round its new captain. If he doesnt go and they have any sort of success without him - even a drawn series - I cant see they would ever bring him back

I agree, especially if they have success in India, though I think the door will still be open for him to come back in the summer next year (or as soon as the NZ away series).

[OffStumpYorker]

The Telegraph's article was put into fairly sharp focus by Cook's first comments on the issue as Head Captain of the side in which he quite simply said he wants the whole mess resolved in the next couple of weeks. One would suggest it might be rather churlish of the ECB to name either the cental contract list or the India tour squad before that period has passed.

Interesting to note that Cook has already said he knows the tour party he wants to take to India already, fairly simple to extrapolate from that to see that Cook has already decided whether or not he wants KP as part of England's future or not.

MS, they always stated that they would name the India squad before the team departed for the T20 WC, so that players knew what the plans were, dont forget that the T20 WC finishes at 7th October, and the tour of india starts 30th Oct, so squad is likley to depart England around the 15-20th Oct, thus an early announcement allows players to plan things for the 2 weeks they're back in the UK before getting on a plane back out to india.

[Aidan11]

KP took 2-24 from 10 overs today.

[sussexpob]

II see no reason why Pietersen should have to go to India. Some things are more important than results

Could you inform me of the things that stand above results in the England teams hierarchy of interests?

I couldnt remember people in the 90's being proud of our lads spirit when we drew to Zimbabwe, or lost to New Zealand, or got crushed by Australia constantly!

Like it or lump it, history will remember a team on its results and achievements, not anything else, the coaching staff will be judged on results and their continuing employment based on such results.

Take a look at Man City... Tevez and Balotelli were constantly in the press all year for their problems off the field and arguments with management, but not a jot of that mattered in the last days of the Premier League, and Man City were hanging on the rope until a certain disruptive team member came back and started to bring the performance of the team up.

No one talks about Tevez now... they won it so no one cares.

[D/L]

To anyone who apparently believes that the end always justifies the means, I doubt any explanation would suffice, or be understood.

People will still have their views on Tevez. I normally take no interest in soccer, but if I was asked to name a player who constantly behaved like an a*se…

[OffStumpYorker]

II see no reason why Pietersen should have to go to India. Some things are more important than results

Could you inform me of the things that stand above results in the England teams hierarchy of interests?

I couldnt remember people in the 90's being proud of our lads spirit when we drew to Zimbabwe, or lost to New Zealand, or got crushed by Australia constantly!

Like it or lump it, history will remember a team on its results and achievements, not anything else, the coaching staff will be judged on results and their continuing employment based on such results.

Take a look at Man City... Tevez and Balotelli were constantly in the press all year for their problems off the field and arguments with management, but not a jot of that mattered in the last days of the Premier League, and Man City were hanging on the rope until a certain disruptive team member came back and started to bring the performance of the team up.

No one talks about Tevez now... they won it so no one cares.

Tevez was heavily disiplined and out for 3-4 months on paid leave only returning when he couldnt find a transfer with his tail between his legs, its also debatable that when he did return that he was was pivotal in helping win the title for City.

Balotelli is just flakey, and tends to be hit/miss, on his day he is a great player but if he has an off day he looks like he doesnt belong.

[sussexpob]

Tevez was heavily disiplined and out for 3-4 months on paid leave only returning when he couldnt find a transfer with his tail between his legs, its also debatable that when he did return that he was was pivotal in helping win the title for City.

Man City were four points behind Man United and going through a patch that was in danger of losing them the title. When Tevez came on against Chelsea Man City were also 1-0, which would widen the gap to a potential 7 points with 9 games to play(game over in the title race really)..... Tevez turned the game around, Man City went through a storming patch in his return, Man City won the title.

Mancini even admitted at the time he had to turn to him because he needed him at a time when Man City were seriously floundering.

To anyone who apparently believes that the end always justifies the means, I doubt any explanation would suffice, or be understood.

If people were judged in history on such means then I would agree, the truth is no one really remembers much of the problems or troubles of a team, only the legacy of their achievements.

[SaintPowelly]

Take a look at Man City... Tevez and Balotelli were constantly in the press all year for their problems off the field and arguments with management, but not a jot of that mattered in the last days of the Premier League, and Man City were hanging on the rope until a certain disruptive team member came back and started to bring the performance of the team up.

No one talks about Tevez now... they won it so no one cares.

Difference is the Man City players were happy too have him back.

[greyblazer]

If squads are picked on the basis of whether some players aren't happy about having a certain player in the team then there won't be many left to pick

[D/L]

To anyone who apparently believes that the end always justifies the means, I doubt any explanation would suffice, or be understood.

If people were judged in history on such means then I would agree, the truth is no one really remembers much of the problems or troubles of a team, only the legacy of their achievements.

Perhaps, after decades, to the rare individual taking an interest in cricket results, possibly before they were born.

I think that between now and for quite a long time, however, the truth is that people will remember any controversial selections better than the results themselves.

Decades later, what good is the legacy of achievement to anyone anyway?

[D/L]

If squads are picked on the basis of whether some players aren't happy about having a certain player in the team then there won't be many left to pick

Of course, but it’s hard too see how that relates to the Pietersen issue, other than to make light of what seems to have happened in this instance.

[Albondiga]

Some International players are treating their countries like club players do their clubs - " I have picked the games I want to play - it's mainly the grounds I like playing on" ,for instance

You get SELECTED to play for your country and if you accept you giVe it your all. Pietersen is a good batsman (not a great one) and I think it wrong to accept him back brecause it is not fair on the others and; more importantly, devalues selection.

[sussexpob]

Some International players are treating their countries like club players do their clubs - " I have picked the games I want to play - it's mainly the grounds I like playing on" ,for instance

You get SELECTED to play for your country and if you accept you giVe it your all. Pietersen is a good batsman (not a great one) and I think it wrong to accept him back brecause it is not fair on the others and; more importantly, devalues selection.

Let me get this straight, it DEVALUES a players selection is you ignore players who are better than them not playing for reasons other than quality?

Surely people picked not on merit devalues selection? Your suggestion above defies all sense and reason

[hopeforthebest]

II see no reason why Pietersen should have to go to India. Some things are more important than results

Could you inform me of the things that stand above results in the England teams hierarchy of interests?

I couldnt remember people in the 90's being proud of our lads spirit when we drew to Zimbabwe, or lost to New Zealand, or got crushed by Australia constantly!

Like it or lump it, history will remember a team on its results and achievements, not anything else, the coaching staff will be judged on results and their continuing employment based on such results.

Take a look at Man City... Tevez and Balotelli were constantly in the press all year for their problems off the field and arguments with management, but not a jot of that mattered in the last days of the Premier League, and Man City were hanging on the rope until a certain disruptive team member came back and started to bring the performance of the team up.

No one talks about Tevez now... they won it so no one cares.

I don't understand why soccer players are being equated to the Pietersen situation, they are so different. Soccer players contracts are an asset to their club and can be bought and sold which is not the case in cricket.
As for Tavez Man City would have sold him if they could have found a buyer willing to pay the price.

[dan08]

@tmsproducer: "Kevin Pietersen not rewarded an @ECB_cricket central contract - but talks are "ongoing and private" #bbcsport"