The enigma that is Kevin Pietersen

[ddb]

I know that this isn't a reason for selection. But it is a shame that the Indian fans who would be looking forward to seeing Pietersen, won't get to see him. There will be a little less buzz about the series over there for his omission. Maybe even a few tickets less sold.

Yep that was the downside for me too. But then it gives us a greater chance of winning with an iffy side.

I know that this isn't a reason for selection. But it is a shame that the Indian fans who would be looking forward to seeing Pietersen, won't get to see him. There will be a little less buzz about the series over there for his omission. Maybe even a few tickets less sold.

We’d have liked to have seen more of Gayle in England but understand why we couldn’t. I dare say the Indian supporters will know why they won’t be seeing Pietersen and will understand too.

As far as I have seen no Indian fan agrees with the ECB totally and the general fan in India seems to love him.

[ddb]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricke ... -tour.html

hmm...

[Arthur Crabtree]

Can't know this is true, but... why do the ECB want more apologies! Why do they want him to pull out of his ESPN job, which he's doing because he wasn't selected for the T20WC! It's just more of the same from the ECB.

I do feel that the press is becoming more sympathetic to Pietersen though.

[rich1uk]

i know this will be twisted to suit whatever people's stance already is but very interesting that the ECB asked him to sign a contract waiving his rights to take possible legal action against them

why would they ask him to do that unless they were worried he might have some grounds to do so ?

considering the hard line they have taken throughout this drama if pietersen was the sole villian as he has been painted and all the fault was on his side then the ECB wouldn't care if he took action against them

[Arthur Crabtree]

very interesting that the ECB asked him to sign a contract waiving his rights to take possible legal action against them

Yes, I missed the most important point.

[Alviro Patterson]

Given the way KP has behaved in the past few months, it's only right ECB are giving other players a chance and KP is back at the queue. Only way KP can get back in the England squad is to skip next years IPL and put runs on the board for Surrey.

Wasn't morgan at IPL? More than Pietersen. Over and above playing for his England place with his county. Can't see what you're getting at here Al. And Kevin hardly has to prove himself as a bat. Maybe the only way for KP to get back is for changes in the ECB.

Morgan wasn't the one complaining of tiredness, picking and choosing which ODIs to play, demanding to play in the whole IPL and miss entire New Zealand test series, sending texts to opposition players, criticising his captain whilst still in the position.

[Arthur Crabtree]

We have a major difference of opinion here! I was responding to those specific points. Not the whole KP melodrama.

[rich1uk]

Given the way KP has behaved in the past few months, it's only right ECB are giving other players a chance and KP is back at the queue. Only way KP can get back in the England squad is to skip next years IPL and put runs on the board for Surrey.

Wasn't morgan at IPL? More than Pietersen. Over and above playing for his England place with his county. Can't see what you're getting at here Al. And Kevin hardly has to prove himself as a bat. Maybe the only way for KP to get back is for changes in the ECB.

Morgan wasn't the one complaining of tiredness, picking and choosing which ODIs to play, demanding to play in the whole IPL and miss entire New Zealand test series, sending texts to opposition players, criticising his captain whilst still in the position.

morgan hasn't played in all three formats of cricket for england for 7 years and been arguably our best player in all three formats for most of that time either however

KP did make alot of mistakes but dont compare apples and oranges ...

[Arthur Crabtree]

Demanding to play the whole IPL was an ECB leak from contract negotiations. I don't think you can fairly hold that against him.

[Making_Splinters]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/kevinpietersen/9551447/Kevin-Pietersen-rejected-offer-of-four-month-contract-with-England-hours-before-being-left-out-of-India-tour.html

hmm...

Personally I think a four month contract which would cover the Indian series as well as being a statement from KP that he was commited to England as he would be blocked from the Big Bash would be a very sensible move forward for all parties as it would have allowed the ECB, Captain and Coach to see how KP and the Dressing room interact under a fair stressful set of conditions and be a true acid test of whether or not he has a way forward in this side. The clauses do sound very strange though of course they're not sourced from anywhere so I'm always sceptical when something is presented with out an byacking.

I'm a bit confused though, the article says that the ECB have moved on "Tuesday" to start talks on a new 12month contract, does that mean today or last week?

[Making_Splinters]

ECB was responsible for KP not being picked. Miller was told not to select him.

But presumably, the general middle order chaos comes down to Miller (perhaps Flower). He is responsible for selection.

“Miller was told not to pick him”? Any evidence for that or is just yet more wild speculation? Perhaps (so far) both Miller and the ECB share the same values.

Saying that the ECB was responsible for KP not being picked is a bit like saying the government were responsible for the end of John Stonehouse’s political career.

From the horse's mouth.

"I've not been given the opportunity to select him because of the issue," Miller told BBC Radio 5 live. "When the board says everything is OK, we will revisit the selection process.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/19637672

Slight correction, it seems from the Telegraph article - though not sourced - that it was Flower who told the selectors not to consider KP, however from Morris' comments it seems the Board also has the ultimate say in the matter.

[Alviro Patterson]

morgan hasn't played in all three formats of cricket for england for 7 years and been arguably our best player in all three formats for most of that time either however

KP did make alot of mistakes but dont compare apples and oranges ...

KP can be the best batsman since Don Bradman but it doesn't make him undroppable. Besides Jonny Bairstow is the one who replaced KP in 3rd South Africa test, maybe it's him who should be compared to whereas Morgan is just a squad player and probably in because he's centrally contracted.

[Arthur Crabtree]

But it can be unreasonable, and unfair to drop him.

Maybe if there is an agenda beyond picking the best possible England side.

[rich1uk]

morgan hasn't played in all three formats of cricket for england for 7 years and been arguably our best player in all three formats for most of that time either however

KP did make alot of mistakes but dont compare apples and oranges ...

KP can be the best batsman since Don Bradman but it doesn't make him undroppable. Besides Jonny Bairstow is the one who replaced KP in 3rd South Africa test, maybe it's him who should be compared to whereas Morgan is just a squad player and probably in because he's centrally contracted.

and where did i say he was undroppable

your previous comment that i was responding to was trying to highlight all the things KP had done and morgan hadn't but given morgan has never been an established player in the test side it would be unlikely for him to try and demand that he get to play in the whole IPL instead of playing for england or miss the NZ test series etc etc. it would be equally unreasonable for bairstow to make any of those demands you mentioned as well, again given his position in the england setup

that was the only point i was making but as usual the reply gets taken out of context to deflect attention from what you originally said

dont know how many times i have to say KP has done alot of stupid things this year and has obviously made his position untenable atm , that doesn't mean his contributions to english cricket over the last 7 years should just be ignored however or that he has made himself public enemy #1

ffs the guy was in a position where he was feeling under pressure, even if that was of his own making and lashed out without thinking what he was doing , i bet every single one of us on here has done equally stupid things , like moaning about their boss or work colleagues behind their backs and probably using far worse language than pietersen allegedly used. only difference here is he got caught and being such a high profile person got dragged over the coals for it and is now having to deal with the consequences of his actions

its amazing to see recently some comments defending john terry , a guy who caused unbelievable problems within his teams dressing room after getting caught sleeping with a team-mates girlfriend which led to selection issues for the last world cup then the racism allegations which led to more issues before this years EUROs but absolutely villefy pietersen for sending a text message where he was blowing off steam

[hopeforthebest]

I love reading this thread. It seems almost every contributor has claimed to be be sceptical of the media yet the moment an article appears supporting their opinion it's quoted as if it's from the the gospel.