I can no longer resist temptation - I have to wade in. What on Earth is the ECB up to? Kevin Pietersen may be infuriating at times but he has been a match and series winner for England and the method of his removal appears to be shambolic at best and utterly incompetent at worst.
Just think about a few of his achievements:
> his century secured England's first Ashes serie win in something like 25 years;
> he was Man of the Tournament when England secured their first global limited overs trophy;
> his average in the 4-0 series win over India that took England to World no 1 position was 106.6;
> his innings in Mumbai started the turnaround from a 1-0 deficit to a series win in India.
He is England's leading run scorer. And he is 33 - a mere stripling.
His performance this time around in Australia was not awe inspiring, granted. But, then again, nor was that of any other player. It was the whole team that misfired - not just KP.
There have been rumblings about dressing-room discord, even rows. What is the captain for; what are the managers for; if not to manage? Now, I like Alastair Cook as a cricketer and opening bat but his captaincy hasn't been of top drawer quality. Somehow, between him and Andy Flower, the England management ball has been dropped.
What really gets up my nose is the manner of the announcement. I have spent a lot of good money in the past heading to Test games (fortunately not to Aus this year - I'm still smarting from 2006/7); I feel let down that no explanation has been given - just a bland press statement.
As an Aussie friend would say - the ECB appears to be "up themselves".
And, finally, isn't this a decision, if it was to be taken at all, one that should have come from the new team director and his assistants?
I fear that the national team is heading for a long bout of mediocrity.
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