The enigma that is Kevin Pietersen

[Arthur Crabtree]

Maybe there's some of that. I think he did it at the behest of Flower, as part of the plan, 'going forward'.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Partly for one of the reasons stated, that Cook would feel vulnerable (Andy thinking he wouldn't be there to take charge). As well as the disengaged stuff. Which feels more and more ridiculous as time passes.

[Making_Splinters]

As with everything that goes on around KP, there's a grain of truth buried in a mountain of manure.

This isn't the first time Broad has spoken out against the decision to remove KP, but this time it raised an interesting point. Why wasn't KP just dropped?

[sussexpob]

Why wasn't KP just dropped?

Because dropping him would have led to exactly the same questions and answers, MS.

[Making_Splinters]

Why wasn't KP just dropped?

Because dropping him would have led to exactly the same questions and answers, MS.

Dropping a player isn't unheard of, if anything it's relatively common. Forcibly retiring a player, saying they'll never be selected again is the exact opposite. It's grandstanding, gloating, goading.

[Aidan11]

If he was dropped and made stacks of runs at county level, then the press would be asking why he isn't getting picked.

[sussexpob]

Why wasn't KP just dropped?

Because dropping him would have led to exactly the same questions and answers, MS.

Dropping a player isn't unheard of, if anything it's relatively common. Forcibly retiring a player, saying they'll never be selected again is the exact opposite. It's grandstanding, gloating, goading.

KP was Englands best player on paper, had he been dropped when 5 other batsman had failed worse than he did, the question about him being singled out and used an example would have led to the same conclusions.

If you think KP could have just been dropped without any hint of reaction from fans, him or certain members of the squad, then I think you are being a tad naive.

[Aidan11]

I've still yet to know what Downton does apart from firing England's top player.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Smooths over public relations.

[alfie]

I think what Broad implied was that they should have handled the incident in a more politically "correct" way. Don't think he is saying KP shouldn't have been sacked, he is just saying they could have just asked him to go back to his county and then make excuses for not picking him up again. Result is the same, but without the repercussions that are currently happening. A slow death, make him sweat, keep him quiet for a longer time. People wouldn't have been so interested in his version if he was away from the limelight for 2 years...
He'll do well as a politician - Broad.

Obviously I don't know what was in Broad's mind ; but the above seems plausible. Similar thoughts occurred to me at the time , though I can see that method would also have had its drawbacks , as others have pointed out.
Despite what some Pietersen fans might wish to believe , it doesn't read as a ringing endorsement of the "KP was robbed" theory...

[Arthur Crabtree]

I (for one) didn't suggest that. I saw it more for what it implied about Downton.

[Making_Splinters]

Why wasn't KP just dropped?

Because dropping him would have led to exactly the same questions and answers, MS.

Dropping a player isn't unheard of, if anything it's relatively common. Forcibly retiring a player, saying they'll never be selected again is the exact opposite. It's grandstanding, gloating, goading.

KP was Englands best player on paper, had he been dropped when 5 other batsman had failed worse than he did, the question about him being singled out and used an example would have led to the same conclusions.

If you think KP could have just been dropped without any hint of reaction from fans, him or certain members of the squad, then I think you are being a tad naive.

There have been controversial droppings in the past. England essentially wanted KP out of the team, there was no reason why they couldn't just drop him and move on. The path they chose was designed to humiliate.

[Making_Splinters]

I think what Broad implied was that they should have handled the incident in a more politically "correct" way. Don't think he is saying KP shouldn't have been sacked, he is just saying they could have just asked him to go back to his county and then make excuses for not picking him up again. Result is the same, but without the repercussions that are currently happening. A slow death, make him sweat, keep him quiet for a longer time. People wouldn't have been so interested in his version if he was away from the limelight for 2 years...
He'll do well as a politician - Broad.

Obviously I don't know what was in Broad's mind ; but the above seems plausible. Similar thoughts occurred to me at the time , though I can see that method would also have had its drawbacks , as others have pointed out.
Despite what some Pietersen fans might wish to believe , it doesn't read as a ringing endorsement of the "KP was robbed" theory...

Broad was very careful to make sure he didn't say KP should be playing for England, unlike he has done in the past. The point he made was about the methods used, which is fairly refreshing.

[backfootpunch]

I think what Broad implied was that they should have handled the incident in a more politically "correct" way. Don't think he is saying KP shouldn't have been sacked, he is just saying they could have just asked him to go back to his county and then make excuses for not picking him up again. Result is the same, but without the repercussions that are currently happening. A slow death, make him sweat, keep him quiet for a longer time. People wouldn't have been so interested in his version if he was away from the limelight for 2 years...
He'll do well as a politician - Broad.

Obviously I don't know what was in Broad's mind ; but the above seems plausible. Similar thoughts occurred to me at the time , though I can see that method would also have had its drawbacks , as others have pointed out.
Despite what some Pietersen fans might wish to believe , it doesn't read as a ringing endorsement of the "KP was robbed" theory...

Broad was very careful to make sure he didn't say KP should be playing for England, unlike he has done in the past. The point he made was about the methods used, which is fairly refreshing.

its difficult to disagree with anything that broad said

was actually nice to hear an england player who wasnt singing from the moores/cook company hymn sheet

[alfie]

I (for one) didn't suggest that. I saw it more for what it implied about Downton.

Fair. I don't disagree. Downton (and his associates) certainly handled it clumsily , to say the least. But , also to be fair, whatever they did might have been seen as wrong , in some quarters. Not sure there was any way out of this one that would have kept everyone happy.

On the bright side , this thread may yet establish new records for longevity