ECB confirm Kevin Pietersen to be 're-integrated' into England team
Nigel French-EMPICS Sport
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have confirmed they have reached an agreement to 're-integrate' Kevin Pietersen into the England team.
The 32-year-old batsman was dropped for sending "provocative" text messages to opposition players during the Test series against South Africa.
Speaking at a press conference in Colombo ECB chairman Giles Clarke, Pietersen said he "wishes to put the events of the summer behind him and to focus on regaining his place in the England team".
An ECB statement read: "The ECB and Kevin Pietersen confirm that agreement has been reached concerning a process for his re-integration into the England team during the remainder of 2012. Upon completion of the programme, the England Selectors will consider Kevin for future matches.
"Kevin Pietersen has apologised to Andrew Strauss and wishes to express to all those who support England his regrets at the impact the recent controversies have had on the England team. He now wishes to put the events of the summer behind him and to focus on regaining his place in the England team.
"With regards the issue of the BBM messages, due to the fact that Kevin had not retained the BBM messages, this matter has been successfully concluded through a binding assurance provided to ECB by Kevin. Kevin conceded that the messages exchanged were provocative.
"ECB is satisfied, following receipt of this binding assurance, that to the best of his recollection, Kevin did not convey any messages which were derogatory about the England captain, the England team director, the ECB or employees of the ECB. Furthermore, there was no tactical information whatsoever provided to members of the South African Touring Party."
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Oh good, so he behaves like a spoilt brat when he's with the squad, makes a mockery out of Strauss's leadership and berates his team mates., sends text messages to the opposing team (allegedly),
And then the ECB let him back in, so he can carry on following his own agenda, this will come back again to haunt them I think
Well seems that the England and Wales Cricket Board are in league and following the FA. lol.
A great batsmen, no two ways about that. But not a very nice person. Beside not being loyal and arrogant, he is rubbing salt in a few wound, and flying in the faces of better men. So the rest of the team will have to abide whether they want to or not. It is but an unwanted, unneeded burden thrown upon players that want to do well in playing for their country. pride and place for their country being let down by a senile old brigade that should know better.
We have seen it all before, not least with the FA board enforcing the manager to pick players that they don't want to. Rooney spring to mind? I would have thought that common-sense and decency means more than that! Yet if some players said 'that's it, I don't wish to be considered playing along side of a South African that emailed our opponents how to beat us' they would be tarred and brushed with stupidities about loyalties and wanting to play for their country etc.
