The enigma that is Kevin Pietersen

[sussexpob]

I think there should be a gentlemans agreement to close this thread now.....

[Making_Splinters]

Hopefully by Tuesday this thread will close itself.

[Aidan11]

This thread could ignite on Tuesday.

The big question - will he or wont he be in that squad?

If he is then what will have happened over these past few days? Will he have disclosed the content of those texts to the ECB? And if he has, are they likley to be pleased with the content? I doubt it. Or are the ECB realising they've cut off their nose to spite the face and are willing to drop the whole matter? Can't see that either.

I don't know how he is going to be in that squad without a major loss of face somewhere along the line.

[Making_Splinters]

I have my doubts that KP will be in the squad for Tuesday unless Cook has come forward to say that he absolutely wants KP as part of his touring party and side or maybe even that he just wants the entire issue done and dusted and if that means there is a chance that KP can play a part in England he needs to be named so everyone can get on with the making up and be done with the speculation.

The fact of the matter is that there is no reason for people to be proactive in getting things sorted if he is not named and naming makes it obligatory that people bury the hatchet and get on with being professional cricketers. Bit of a tough one for England they can either force the issue or hope that their performance in India will get rid of it.

[D/L]

I hope I’m wrong, but I reckon Pietersen will be in the squad, M_S.

The fact that discussions seem to be going down to the wire would indicate that both parties want to find a way to make it happen. If either were not interested, discussion would have ceased and I think we’d have had the squad announced when it was originally planned to be announced.

[hopeforthebest]

I believe that if this KP matter is not sorted before they go to India in November then his career with England will come to an end. I don't think Tuesday is necessarily the day of reckoning. They could announce a 15 man squad and add his name later. Should England go to India without him and get soundly beaten it could harden attitudes toward KP rather than raise a clamor for his return.

[Making_Splinters]

To be honest D/L, I'd question why if England were not capable of naming him on Thursday they'd be happy doing so on Tuesday with so many of the key players in the story already in Sri Lanka with other things to think about - our warm ups are on Monday and Wednesday.

Of course Cook is still here as will be one of Morris or Clarke so if he has decided that he wants this sorted before the squad is named then who know, perhaps however they simply want to see Carbs and Chopra one more time before making a call on the opening slot.

At the end of the day however this winds up I'd think that everyone will want to see a permanent solution be it with or with out KP and I don't see how those three days will tip that balance.

[D/L]

We’ve had two senior players, Swann and Anderson, putting it on record that they would accept any decision the ECB made regarding Pietersen, M_S.

It’s difficult to imagine that others, particularly those with potentially many years of playing for England ahead of them, wherever they happen to be, would upset the apple cart.

The ECB will know this and will have little concern that any decision in favour of Pietersen will pose any problems for them, at least as far as the players are concerned. Whatever they think of Pietersen’s antics, when push comes to shove, they will put aside any animosity for the sake of their international careers.

The ECB’s main concern, if they have their finger on the pulse of public opinion, is likely to be how any decision they make will play with the supporters and how it will be raked over in the media.

[Making_Splinters]

I was thinking more about Flower, D/L, as you say the players have little option but to like it or lump it. I am slightly concerned however that cliques might try and destabilise KP knowing that he will be an easy target if the ground isn't made very firm.

Either way, I still am a little perturbed by how the ECB seemingly wouldn't have been comfortable on thursday but might be on tuesday.

[Aidan11]

Several England Players: "No way do we want that KP back. Ever".

ECB : "KP can come back"

Same England Players: "Welcome back KP".

[andy]

I think there should be a gentlemans agreement to close this thread now.....

should have left the thread locked!

[ddb]

Could be a natural end to this thread soon...

“@JohnSunCricket: KP on way to Colombo to work as TV pundit. He is not going on Test tour to India. ECB could bring in mediator to try to resolve situation”

[ddb]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sp ... um=twitter

Relationship expert.

[Alviro Patterson]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/cricket/4540748/Kevin-Pietersen-could-be-asked-to-consult-a-relationship-expert.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Relationship expert.

Dear Deidre waits in anticipation for KPs letter

[andy]

i hope he dosent go to india...yes we are a better side with him, but would you want to play with someone who has betrayed your trust or someone you have no trust in or respect for anymore.....im sorry but KP has burned another bridge and IMO this time he has gone way too far!