The enigma that is Kevin Pietersen

[Aidan11]

I wonder how the working relations are between Graves & Downton at present.

[captaincolly]

Article in The Times today says Graves has yet to agree to a face to face meeting with KP and if it happens it won't be before the end of the month. In other words, KP will have to make a decision on his IPL deal before he learns if there's a realistic chance of an England recall. There's nothing in the article that suggests that's a tactic from the ECB, just that if a meeting is arranged it can't be organised before the IPL decision has to be made.

[backfootpunch]

the only way i can see KP getting back in the side is if we lost to the west indies or new zealand (maybe both) and for him to score a shed load of runs in county cricket

if cook and moores et al never want KP back in an england shirt they have to start winning games, its that simple really

[Aidan11]

I don't think Moores knows how to win games.

This WIs tour won't be easy, that's for sure.

[Albondiga]

Let me put a strong point of view.KP was never a great batsman -- he was a very good one but that is all. He struggled with the ball that left him ie; the outswinger and the ball that turned away from him. This was principally because he was a leg side player. There has been great players who favoured the leg side -- Viv Richards being the main one -- but he is not in the Richards class. His only interest in talking about playing for England is because it keeps the money coming in, and he knows he has to keep himself in the news.

He is now a liability in the field, partly because of his dodgy knee to be fair but he has never been more than adequate and I can't see him being anything but a liability in the dressing room.

He is yesterday's man.

[andy]

I wonder how the working relations are between Graves & Downton at present.

non existent.. won't be long until Downton's position is untenable..

[captaincolly]

Article in The Sunday Times ,by Simon Wilde, claims Graves told Alastair Cook that KP will not be selected for England. According to the article he will not be considered even if the test side struggle this summer and he is scoring runs for Surrey.

Apparently the plan is for KP and Graves to meet and " publicly confirm the rapprochement. Graves has in effect told Pietersen that he will be welcomed back into the England "family" but not as a player."
If that is the case though why would KP be considering playing for Surrey if he has been told there is no chance of a recall.

[Arthur Crabtree]

What does that mean? The England family, but not as a player? Graves hasn't taken up the job yet, and he's already made a mess of it.

[captaincolly]

What does that mean? The England family, but not as a player? Graves hasn't taken up the job yet, and he's already made a mess of it.

It makes no sense to me either, seems such a confusing stance that no journalist would make it up!

I just wonder if Graves attempted to call KP's bluff -by floating the possibility of a return in return for giving up his IPL deal and committing do a full county season- and the plan has backfired.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I doubt he thought it through that much. I think he said the first thing that came into mind and now he's running around like Brian Rix in a farce, trousers round his ankles.

[sussexpob]

If this is true, which I doubt it is (because no one could be that much of an evil prat) I expect Graves and all involved to hand in their resignation. That is unforgivable

[Aidan11]

It sound too idiotic to be true.

Even for the ECB.

[captaincolly]

It does sound ridiculous, just have to wait and see how it plays out.

[Aidan11]

I can't remember which journos are pro & anti KP.

Am I right in thinking Wilde is definitely anti?

[Arthur Crabtree]

He wrote a book last year 'On Pietersen'. I think he was broadly pro.

I've put Colly's post (in my own words) on the Guardian site, see if it picks anything up.