Kevin Pietersen dropped from England test team

Controversial batsman Kevin Pietersen said he was "gutted" after being dropped on Sunday from the England squad for the third and final test against South Africa amid speculation of dressing room tensions with his teammates.

Pietersen was left out because he failed to confirm he did not send derogatory text messages about teammates to the opposition, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said.

The future of Pietersen, who hit a stunning century in the drawn second test at Headingley, had been under a cloud since he raised the possibility of quitting England with comments at the conclusion of the match on Monday.

"To say I am gutted is an understatement," Pietersen said in a statement to Sky Sports on Sunday.

"This entire episode has been demoralising for me and my family. But, this is not the end of my international career."

He had also been at odds with the ECB since quitting limited-overs internationals in May and over suggestions of his desire to play the whole Indian Premier League season with the Delhi Daredevils instead of two home test matches against New Zealand next May.

"During the past week we have held several discussions with Kevin Pietersen and his advisors," said ECB managing director Hugh Morris in a statement.

"Following a constructive meeting, it was agreed that a number of actions needed to be completed to re-engage Kevin within the England dressing room.

"A fundamental item was to confirm publicly that no derogatory texts had been sent by Kevin to the South African team.

"This has not been forthcoming despite clear timelines being set to allow the Selectors to pick the squad for the third test match. We provided an additional six hours this morning to provide every opportunity for agreement to be reached but regrettably this has not been possible.

"The success of the England team has been built on a unity of purpose and trust. Whilst we have made every attempt to find a solution to enable Kevin to be selected we have sadly had to conclude that, in the best interest of the team, he will miss the Lord's test."

FULLY FOCUSED

National selector Geoff Miller said: "We need a squad fully focused on this test match to be able to play the sort of cricket we know is necessary if we are to win this week and level the series."

Pietersen's exclusion came despite a video he released on YouTube on Saturday stating his commitment to playing for England in all three forms of the game.

He also said that dressing room morale had been improved following a long chat with a teammate.

That has failed to sway the selectors, however, who have replaced Pietersen with Jonny Bairstow who made his debut against West Indies in May.

"The video I released was my way to bring closure to the issues I had at that time," Pietersen said. "I stand by every word I said in the video."

England, who lost the first test by an innings and 12 runs, must win to tie the series 1-1 and retain their place at the top of the test rankings. The third test starts at Lord's on Thursday.

ENGLAND SQUAD: Andrew Strauss, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Ian Bell, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Steven Finn, Graham Onions, Matt Prior, Graeme Swann, James Taylor, Jonathan Trott.

We must beat or draw this test. Kevin's dropping can only help! Probably spoke out a few home truths. Folk dont like that.

Pietersen is not an easy baby to handle - but I think that the POMS did in this case, has a remarkable similarity to the shoot-in-the-foot selection of the Springboks.   Him having  sent messages to the SA team must have been regarded as an equivalent to high treason by the POMS.   He probably - and rightfully so - criticized the batting of Cook and Strauss - one will never know what was actually in the messages.  One thing can be absolutely certain - there were no messages sent by Pietersen to Graeme Smith - Pietersen once called him the worst cricket captain in the world - and we all know what a huge ego Smith has. However, but for his batting in the second test another loss by the POMS were really on the cards.

All signs are good for SA in the next test - but even more so by this comedy. 

Smith does not appear to have a big ego and has done a great job as a player and captain. But Kevin may well be a difficult  guy to handle as he bucks the trend.

Would have thought there was too much at stake right now. Number 1 ranking is on the line.

big call from the selectors but kp is not a easy person to handle...time will tell if this was a right call

I can only imagine what will happen if they lose the test!!! Kevin was a star turn in the last test and even got some wickets. Those selectors will get it.

Thanks Kev, we know you had your homeland country's best intrests at heart.

Well done mate, the cheque is in the post.

KP has always been a bit of a interesting person but a player like that cant be good for a team's mental dynamic. to be honest one cant question your captian like that. still a massive call to make. his does offer alot. as i heard the last test will be a big turner so if might be even compound this deselection.

It's a cash thing isn't it? I am sure he is trying to get of his England contract to play more in Indian PL where they pay him a absolute fortune. But, England doesn't want to release him part time to play in both India and UK, so he said he may be forced to stop all together and they have turned around and dropped the only player who held together the second match for England.

Lets face it I don't really like the guy but without him England would be 0/2 in the series so far.

@muffinmuncher

Where did he question his captain?

Trying to read up on what he actually said.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/cricket/article-2187457/Kevin-Pietersen-deny-sending-texts-Andrew-Strauss-England-days-look-over.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Bet you he is hating that stupid english lions tattoo now... twat

Ok.. but what did he say?

Doubt very much they will tell you that, since the whole text message spying scandal thing that went on here not to long ago. That saw police getting fired and newspapers actually getting closed down.

 Loud mouth unfortunately...but a great cricketer.

Some more "info" ex Supersport

South Africa team manager Mohammed Moosajee has said Kevin Pietersen's controversial texts to members of the Proteas squad were just "banter" after claims he criticised England captain Andrew Struass and Andy Flower.

Pietersen was dropped from the England team for the crucial final test which starts at Lord's on Thursday after he refused to reveal the contents of the texts, which were sent during the drawn second test at Headingley earlier this month. (Wise man some oaks cant undertand banter and when it gets published its not taken in the right spirit.)

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had told Pietersen his selection depended on him confirming publicly that no derogatory texts had been sent to the opposition or if they had been sent then he had to publicly apologise for them.

When South Africa-born Pietersen refused to respond to the ECB's request, he was axed and the 32-year-old's international career is now in tatters.

But Moosajee played down the content of the texts and said the messages contained nothing more than "banter".

He also refuted suggestions Dale Steyn and AB de Villiers were the two South Africans Pietersen had texted.

"There has been untruthful allegations in the media implicating members of our squad in the current issue between Kevin Pietersen and the ECB," Moosajee said on Monday.

"We stand by the same stance we have taken since we heard the news about these allegations. Yes, text messages were sent but like we said before it was banter among teammates, which is perfectly acceptable.

"The ECB has not made a formal approach to myself or any member of the team to see the text messages, as currently reported in the media.

"Allegations that Dale Steyn and AB de Villiers were the recipients of the texts are unfounded. Until such time that the allegations are met with the correct facts and evidence, we shall not comment.

"The internal issue between Kevin Pietersen and the English cricket board has been publicised for weeks, even before we arrived in the UK, and we don't want to get ourselves involved in an issue that has nothing to do with us."

Seems like the old farts club have not been amused!! 

The pOMS selectors are really digging a grave for themselves - if they lose the coming test, they eill b in serious trouble because of the Pietersen issue.

Apparently they did not even ask the SA squad about what exactly was in the messages.   If that really was an issue - why did they not get a statement from the recipients of the messages.   The allegations allegedly dealt with messages sent to Dale Steyn and to AB de Villiers and was regarded as banter by Cricket SA - according to thre latest staement , the two players mentioned was not involved.

Pietersen has had a chequered history with the ECB and he has many enemies amongst the English Players and possibly also Andrew Strauss.   If the messages were not proven as being against the POM team or represent mere banter - it would come out and the selectors will be accused of being used by some of the players opposed to Pietersen.  That would be a disaster for the selectors and also the capatin and coach.

The POMS better win the coming test - or somebody is going to suffer badly.

The pOMS selectors are really digging a grave for themselves - if they lose the coming test, they eill b in serious trouble because of the Pietersen issue.

Apparently they did not even ask the SA squad about what exactly was in the messages.   If that really was an issue - why did they not get a statement from the recipients of the messages.   The allegations allegedly dealt with messages sent to Dale Steyn and to AB de Villiers and was regarded as banter by Cricket SA - according to thre latest staement , the two players mentioned was not involved.

Pietersen has had a chequered history with the ECB and he has many enemies amongst the English Players and possibly also Andrew Strauss.   If the messages were not proven as being against the POM team or represent mere banter - it would come out and the selectors will be accused of being used by some of the players opposed to Pietersen.  That would be a disaster for the selectors and also the capatin and coach.

The POMS better win the coming test - or somebody is going to suffer badly.

 Bean Brain a good lesson here for those contemplating emigrating. When you get there, keep your big mouth shut and don't go around undermining things like KP or try running the country like our friend Denny.

it sounds to me that any comments supporting and wanting kp to reinstated for england are based on some type of national pride cos hes a saffa???

IMO kp is a talent and a half, has won more games for england then probably anyone else in the last few years, but hes always been in trouble with the ECB and its only been his talent which saw him continue his test selection.
his latest keeping up with the kardashians drama was the last straw and england need to get rid of him, as he is a cancerous tumor to the whole englsh team.
anyone who txts the oppoisition during the game for what ever reason is under suspicion already for possible match fixing, regradless of what words were used, cos any 7 year old with a revamped version of pig latin could come up with some coded lingo.
but what a kind of class player makes fun of his teamamtes and captain with the oppoistion, wether its banetr or not??? and for the record if it was harmless banter then why would kp not just share that straight away with the ECB, instead of coming up with a utube clip that tells us nothing except how much we should for sorry for him cos hes such an outspoken person who cant change who he is, what a co,plete fuckiong twat???
if he didnt realise the seriousness of the situation and instead chose to not say anyhting in fear of it being taken the wrong way, then he should  be fired for being as stupid PDV ever was.

for englands sake i hope they get rid of him, there are more important things then winning, like the teams morale, synergy and harmony which are just as important as this proteas wannabes cricket skills and given all the shit that england have suffered as a direct rsult of kp.
this should be the final straw, for its already past fool me once shame on kp fool me twice shame on england, its now fool me 37 times, put a bullet in everone in the ECBs head, cos ur wasting the air u breath with ur willingness to get a sore ass couretsy kp and his never ending antics.
 

 Kevin Pietersen is a legend- a maverick. He helped improve that rubble of a team when he started to a vastly improved team. England only have themselves to blame. They fill their national teams with foreign players but expect the players to be patriotic and really love playing for England. Choose English born players and build a team of nationals, not foreigners looking for a quick buck. 

bottom line is Keven Pietersen is South African and would much rather play for us. Instead he is stuck with a bunch of people he does not care less about, and representing a country for money not honour.

Back luck England. KP should have played for South Africa only

I doubt not that Pietersen has friends in the SA team - after all he was borne and raised in SA and started to play cricket here competing in matches against some - if not all - the SA players in the present touring squad.    That being the case - it is likely that he did sent the messages alleged - what was in the messages nobody knows and it is likely that it would come out in future.   The only thing Cricket SA said it was "banter" - in other words really harmless.

However, the issue here is what can best be described is  the acceptance of Pietersen by other players in the POM team.   English people have a huge superirority complex - that is a particular phenomenon throughout English history.   The POMS do not easily accept foreigners - even though people from outside of England play a major role in performance.   Be it as it may - over the years the POM cricket players did not accept players from other countries and this is not the first example of that type of undermining of foreign players.   The idea always is to USE them - but not to ACCEPT them.  

What should count in this case is not his words - but his deeds.   Without Pietersen England would have lost the second test as well.   He scored most of their runs quickly and effectively and took four wickets as a bowler.   What more was expected from him??????

However, there is one issue that is really the key in the POM team and that is relationships within the team.   Some players obviously do not like PIETERSEN and they are most likely to be behind the story of the messages, as well - particularly the leakage thereof - and then there is also that mysterious facebook story.     That being the case - one can expect a component of the POM team would want Pietersen out - because he showed up how really mediocre they themselves are.   There is ample evidence that most of the team players did not cover themselves in glory in both the first and second tests - and can be severely criticized.   Though whether that criticism should come from inside the team is another question.

I believe that the storm in the teacup is stirred on by existing team members and their cronies hoping for inclusion in the team - and that can only account for the media frenzy around the issue.   If they really wanted to do something constructive about it - the ECB should have asked the SA Team membes involved what messages they received and then act accordingly.   If it was indeed "banter" then the appropriate line of action would have been to call Pietersen in and tell him that his actions create a bad impression as a team player - no media frenzy stirred on by the POM players themselves to advance their own interests - would have been better.   The real stirrer is no dount Swan - a mediocre player at best. but Broad is another one that could be involved. 

After the present scenario - I believe that the POM team will lose the third test - they can only hope for a less-disgraceful loss than the one they suffered in the first test.   Their betting without Pietersen is really questionable.and their bowling is not up to standard - even though before the test series they bragged constantly that they have the best bowling attack in the world.

Mike some good points. Swan of course would love Kevin to be out because it strengthnes his case for selection - who is he trying to fool.

Small minded people are not able to handle mavericks and feel very threatened by them no matter how many people give them support.

I recall how ou rooitwit used to say we dont need Kevin etc. Fact is he would have been great to have playing for us. Smith would have got him in line as any decent captain could.

A case of harmless banter has been used to get at Kevin. But he will be back you can bet on that. The furore will only intensify if England get whipped. Maybe the selectors will all be sacked! Hahahahhahaha.

Why does Strauss remind me of Barlee. Hahahahahahahahahahaha.

Also From SS>

This KP saga is spiralling out of control.

It almost seems as though some scribes have decided that seeing the scandal-free Olympics have run their race, now is the time to ramp up their copy to regain headlines. No-one in the world can bleed a story like the English papers and believe me some of them are haemorrhaging rather than just spilling claret.

The bottom line for me is that when an individual's extremely narcissistic attitude is coupled with exceptionally poor advice, it spells disaster.

Some of the respected views have been blunt to the extreme.

"I know for a fact there are players in this England side who cannot stand Kevin Pietersen." former captain Nasser Hussain wrote in his newspaper column on Monday.

'I didn't like some players.' Warne said. 'But everyone is different - it's up to the leadership group to make everyone feel special and important.'

Even though the South Africans have been downplaying the significance of the dropping of Pietersen, take it from me they are grateful to be handed this bonus on the eve of their quest to be No 1. That's not all. The South Africans are angered that they've been drawn into this and seriously dark that some are suggesting they have set this whole thing up.

This series, which has been punctuated by some superb individual performances, has had some testy issues on the field as well. Up until now they have gone largely unnoticed but this latest development will only add further fuel to the fire that is burning fiercely within the visitors. Expect some well-directed verbals to be aimed at a couple of the opposition players throughout the test. Should things progress favourably for Smith and co, they will not take any prisoners.

Tim Bresnan said on Wednesday that their team might even be better without Pietersen. Really? Who does he think he is fooling?

Even though KP has clearly been a disruptive influence behind closed doors, I do feel that the correct management of the situation has been lacking. Professional sportsmen need quality people surrounding them, such is the fragility of some individuals. This whole saga should never have reached this level of disruption. Was it all a convenient half-truth?

Someone also has to explain to me the complete obsession with a parody twitter account, and who really cares? I just don't get it.

KP claimed in his bizarre stage-managed Youtube video that he always "shoots from the hip."

He has done no more than shoot himself in the foot.

I am also now hearing he has apologised belatedly to the ECB.

Anyway, I have had enough of all this. Now is the time to celebrate the culmination of a superb series and champion the game.

Bring on Lord's.

Cape Town - Kevin Pietersen has no chance of playing for England again until he reveals exactly what he wrote in his texts about Andrew Strauss.

Pietersen on Wednesday apologised for texting “provocative” comments about his captain to South African cricketers, but his bosses are in no mood to forgive until he comes clean about their content.

According to The Sun website, one text described Strauss as a “doos”. (well that it about right cant see why Pietersen should be blamed for such an accurate description!)

Pietersen also wrote that the Proteas could dismiss Test skipper Strauss by nicking off. (Man that was givng away a trade secret!!!!!)

On another day of dramatic developments on the eve of the third Test at Lord’s, it also emerged that:

- Pietersen texted South Africa’s players during the first Test at the Oval and the second Test at Headingley.
- He might work for TV during the ICC World Twenty20 because it seems certain he will not be there as a player.

Pietersen has gone on holiday as the crisis continues to rage. Good idea Kevin why waste time on the drama queens!

good work england, its the team who wins the game and u dont need a cancerous solo sun shines out my outspoken ass douche bag like kp.

i dont even like cricket, but this fiasco is very interesing and which saffa is going out with that irish pop star hottie???

This all go back to IPL when few England player, including Strauss, were called up and none were bid on except KP and he sold for highest ever total.

Salty Brits and bored journalists, the so called hype is over here in the UK wasn't even in the papers today.

I personally don't like KP very myself but he is arguably the best player in the world today, not many sides wouldn't want him in their teams mate. Calling him a cancerous solo sun shine, is totally out of proportion.

There been ongoing drama in the team and at best it was poorly timed banter with fellow countrymen.

Remember, no one I mean no one has seen those texts. So anything you read about him calling AS a doos or the texts being abusive is just here say. 

 Why does he even want to play for England. If he is the highest IPL player- he should just focus on that. Let the poms only choose English players for their national teams- stop stealing other countries players

seriously, who would send txt messages to another team and tell them the best way to bowl out someone in thier team and bag them at the same time??? i mean WTF??? o_O

kps actions are so inexcusable and soooo unprofessional its not funny. u cant justify those actions in any way, regardless of how he feels about strauss.

no offence my saffa bros, but anyone who thinks that kps actions were harmless and not that big a deal seriously needs to take of their saffa tinted glasses. its the most unprofessional thing ive ever heard of and while its not as bad as those pakistanis who took a bribe, its in the same ball park. giving info to help the opposition bowl out a teammate, keven pieterson, what a complete and utter fuckwit.

 Sasuke- Unless you know something that I do not- It is not conclusive what he texted the South African team- It was something about being a muppet for his choices. It is in no way clear that he offered advise or tactics to beat England. If he did then he should be removed permanently- or at least if the English have any sense. If he is not profiting from the information he gave them- regardless what is it then it cant be likened to a bribe because he is not financially benefitting them,

The bottom line is that KP should be playing for his home nations- not the snotty nosed pommies. It is just ego conflict in the team- his team mates do not like the fact that he is the best player in the team- so he is probably getting isolated. 

@sharkbok,

it has been reported here in OZ that keven advised SA bowlers to bowl around the wicket against strauss, as he always struggles, he was also called the equivellent of a cu*nt in SA, what ever that is (would be interested in knowing), but pieterson it was all in good fun according to kp.

my reaction is based on what i saw in foxsport, but if its true, then he is a fu*kwit. i remeber when the english team toured australia for the ashes series, the whole team went out and played a round of golf on their day off as a bonding exercise, surprise surprise, kp stayed in his hotel.

i dont care what anyone says, but kp is the luke watson equivilent of cricket and as fopr ur he should be playing for the proteas anyway, he already does, txting tips to the oppisiton, what a fucking dick.

@sasuke -I just read thie article now

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/pietersen-advice-equals-sporting-treason/story-fnb64oi6-1226453593507

What he is did is wrong. If a player did this to South Africa I would be disgusted. The whole problem lies with the fact Kevin does not like the people in his team and they do not like him. He should be reprenting South Africa.

How would you feel if Christian Cullen left New Zealand when he was 19 and played for England Rugby team. Then years later he confided tactical information with his New Zealdand friends and nations. It is not right- but then either is Christian Cullen actually playing for the English Rugby team. The guy hates having to play for england. He is the Luke Watson of the England team- except he is one of the best if not the best player in the world. If Luke Watson was playing for the All Blacks you could have him. 

It is wrong but more funny than anything else. Laurie Mains of New Zealand would never coach a team against the All Blacks, imagine being a New Zealander and playing against the All Blacks

Sasu

To date nobody knows what was in that messages. but what is really funny is that both Strauss and Pietersen has South African backgrounds and that fact is not recognised by the press.   Strauss was borne in Johannesburg and his paretns left SA when he was ten years old - so he would presumably know what is meant by the word "poes" if it was used in the messages.   In that regard the surname Strauss is actually applicable to Afrikaans speaking people and they tend to continue to speak Afrikaans to their children even when in foreign countries.   Even a tennis player like Federer - whose mother is Afrikaans - knows some general terms in Afrikaans.  

Now lets get back to word usage "poes" actually means what you said in your message - and the use of that word in Afrikaans context is even more disparaging than it is in English.  However, to suggest that he advised SA bowlers to bowl around the wicket to Strauss is ridiculous.  Morne ALWAYS bowls around the wicket to left-handers and the other bowlers in the SA team tends to do the same.  Philander rarely does that - but on accassion he also does that. when he cannot attack successfully attack from his normal angle.

Yes - I agree with you that in terms of team spirit to find that kind of situation and that Pietersen went too far in sending messages to SA players - but it is wrong to let the matter gets out of control than was the case at present.  The whole situation is just plainly ridiculous and smells to me like cooked up by certain players in the English team.  

Sasu

To date nobody knows what was in that messages. but what is really funny is that both Strauss and Pietersen has South African backgrounds and that fact is not recognised by the press.   Strauss was borne in Johannesburg and his paretns left SA when he was ten years old - so he would presumably know what is meant by the word "poes" if it was used in the messages.   In that regard the surname Strauss is actually applicable to Afrikaans speaking people and they tend to continue to speak Afrikaans to their children even when in foreign countries.   Even a tennis player like Federer - whose mother is Afrikaans - knows some general terms in Afrikaans.  

Now lets get back to word usage "poes" actually means what you said in your message - and the use of that word in Afrikaans context is even more disparaging than it is in English.  However, to suggest that he advised SA bowlers to bowl around the wicket to Strauss is ridiculous.  Morne ALWAYS bowls around the wicket to left-handers and the other bowlers in the SA team tends to do the same.  Philander rarely does that - but on accassion he also does that. when he cannot attack successfully attack from his normal angle.

Yes - I agree with you that in terms of team spirit to find that kind of situation and that Pietersen went too far in sending messages to SA players - but it is wrong to let the matter gets out of control than was the case at present.  The whole situation is just plainly ridiculous and smells to me like cooked up by certain players in the English team.  

@sharkbok,

bro, i dont even like cricket, but what he did is down right disgusting, what i do find interesting is the very reaction that saffas have towards it, due to the fact kp is saffa.
u say u would be disgusted if a player did this to SA, yet u find the whole kp/england senario wrong, but more funny then anything else??? o_O
im the arvo shift supervisor at work looking after rooughly 100 people, most of those workers are indians and sri lankans, with a mix of kiwis aussies and other races. their are a lot of cricket fans out their and the banter especially between the aussies and indian workers.
i asked a few of them about what they thought of the whole kp argument and i couldnt find one person who thought it was funny and one indian said if he did that to india, he would be a dead man.
do u think ur views are biased because ur a saffa??? cos to say that kp hates playing for england and england players hate him is hardly an excuse, and one has to ask if kp hates playing for england so much, why is he so desperately trying to salvage hi english career???

i also two issues with ur hypothetical with cullen,,,,
1) why would NZ ever need information to take care of the likes of england, All Blacks v englands is next to one way traffic, proteas vs england cricket team is not.
2) i wouldnt have a problem with cullen playing for england as we have been seeing that more and more in rugby, maybe not with players of his class but NZ born, bred and rugby groomed players like thomas waldrom etc,,,
so playing for england wouldnt bother me at all, cos NZ has always had depth, but if cullen "WAS" to give us info, it would be plain wrong and i wouldnt bother me in the slightest, to see and english player give him a hiding, after all hes english as far as im concered and his actions are inexcusable.

secondly i wouldnt be too sure about laurie mains coaching a team against NZ, graham henry, john kirwean, steve hansen, robbie deans, micheal jones have all done it, its the professional age and i have no problems with it what so ever.

as for new zelanders playing against the All Blacks, LMAO,,,digby ioane, quade cooper, shawntaye hape, mike umaga, frank bunce, stephen bachop, bro, its a concept that NZ is very use to.
 

@clevermike,

thanx for clarifying that word, if kp really did call him that, it infuriates me even more that its meaning is even more derogative in afrikaan.
the reports a strong that he advised the saffa quicks the best way to bowl to strauss, wether they do it all the time or not, is IMO irrelevant, the basic pricipal of the matter is what really irks me.
anyone who plays a team sport knows that there is a level of comradery nedded or usually devlops over time, it is a key component of what makes the teams successful. take a look at SBW, he has often stated that maa nonu his No1 rival for the 12 jersey was a big reason for his rugby devlopment, on the EOYT in 2010, those tow were roommates and nonu was filling him in on the ins and outs of certain players he had faced and little tactics he uses in the ABs.
kp comes across or at least is portrayed as a one man show who wants nothing positive to do with his team, not even win.
but it looks like karamas coming back to collect with interest on that clwons ass, as in his first cricket game back for or at hampshire, he recieved a golden a duck and a standing booin ovation from the english crowd. i wouldnt be surprised if its one of a series of not so unfortunate events for that lemeny snicket douche bag.

but on a lighter side, i wasnt aware of federers afrikaan roots, u always intersting FYIs and im a big fan of federer, and u probably already know this, but viktor matfields grandmother was part maori, no wonder he was such an awesome rugby player, LMAO, :P

 

Well im just glad that Australians know exactly what went on in the Headingly dressing room between an English player and his South African opponents(and friends). Because I sure was lost there for a while.

Wonder if they going to tell how much better their Olympics was than the British one again too?

A lot has been said about this issue on this thread and it is obviously difficult to judge it because we do not know the contents of the texts. What is tru is that Morne, Dale and KP have become friends due to the IPL, and Dale and KP have been at each other with lots of banyter on Twitter, even before the start of the series, and I have seen some of those tweets.

The other side of the story is that the ECB is by no means squeeky clean in this either. in fact they are more guilty IMO. this is not the first time that confidential stuff between them and KP ended uo in the media. With his captaincy issue, he was asked (as captain) what his view was about the way forward for England. He submitted his report and stated what he thought and said that he did not quite agree with Peter Moores' view. The next moment Moores was fired and he learned in the media "that he has decided to resign". He never really resigned. He was on holiday in SA at the time when he "allegedly" resigned. The impression was created that he got Moores fired. It has since come out that Michael Vaughan alos disagreed with Moores and that they too were at each other's throats quite often.

The new issue came about after his private and confidential negotiations with the ECB was once again leaked to the media. The ECB is just as guilty as KP as far as the breakdown in trust and relations are concerned. The ultimatum for his inclusion in the third test was also a smoke screen. They said that they would have included him if he "came clean" but I have a feeling that they would have left him out in any case. Their attutude after his "confession" is proof of that. There is a clique in the England squad bigger than the Proteas ever had. Struass/Cook/Stualina/Anderson.

I agree that KP has been a twat, but he was not the only one.

 the moral of the story- England have learned that they should make up their national teams with people from England, not try buy a team. This was enivatable that one of the foreign imports would favour his own nationality.

To be honest, England never bought any of the players for the England team. They played in England, got citizenship and qualified for selection and was elected.

Ceradyne- How is it that becoming eligable for England is so easy? Perhaps their should be an enquiry into this by various sports boduies. If Pieterson had not become eligable for England, he would surely have represented South Africa. If the same lax eligability process was followed by South Africa- Pieterson would have probably played in the 3rd test against England and not just providing tactics.