Pietersen 'disappointed' by exclusion
Kevin Pietersen has revealed his 'disappointment' at his England omission
Kevin Pietersen has revealed his "disappointment" at being left out of the England Test squad to tour India.
Pietersen was omitted from a 16-man touring party, the latest indication from the England and Wales Cricket Board that he faces a long road back before he represents his adopted country again.
Pietersen responded by releasing a statement, via his agents Mission Sports Management, that read: "Kevin Pietersen is naturally disappointed about today's decision, having gone to great lengths to reach a reconciliation with the ECB."
Without Pietersen, England have called up two uncapped batsmen - Joe Root and Nick Compton - to help fill the vacancies left not only by him but by the retirement of former captain Andrew Strauss.
In the statement, Pietersen also sought to set the record straight over the "provocative" text messages he sent to opposition South Africa players during the Headingley Test - in which there were allegations he made "derogatory" references to Strauss.
The statement continued: "Pietersen has met with - and apologised to - Andrew Strauss.
"He has also met with Alastair Cook to stress his commitment to England and met with ECB board members, including face-to-face meetings with Hugh Morris, David Collier and Andy Flower, prior to his departure to Sri Lanka.
"At all times, Pietersen had wished his dealings with the ECB to remain private so as not to inflame an already difficult situation.
"His recent silence was not an admission of any wrong-doing; he wanted to explain and apologise to the ECB for the messages exchanged with members of the South African team.
"He has also made absolutely clear both to the ECB and the England team that - despite unsubstantiated allegations to the contrary and repeated media speculation - he did NOT offer ANY tactical advice to the South Africans. Pietersen remains available for England."
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Why is he surprised?? He knifed his Captain in the back, which to say the least shows a cowardly streak to add to his arrogance. We have enough talent to cover for this egotistical dumb **** who thinks he is a cricketing god. He actually believes in his own publicity which shows you how stupid this guy really is! He should move to India and fulfil his dream of making loads of bucks and that would be great. England Cricket has never needed the likes of Pietersen! It doesn’t matter if he is a Martian. He has behaved like a petulant School Boy and that is not what the dressing room needs when playing overseas. I am not going to knock his cricketing skills as they speak for themselves. But a disrupted dressing room is the kiss of death and Pietersen is a disruptive and destructive force within the England squad and that is why he is not playing for England any longer, plus the rest of the team do not want him in India!!
While he can be a superb player he is far too inconsistent, his ego and mouth always rule his actions and this over several years has made him one of the worst players in the England team. He could not be relied upon to play to the teams needs and requirements, when in a sticky situation he would frequently lose his wicket to a very unconsidered shot.
To unreliable, to egotistical to be a great team player and far to fond of his own importance, this is the best decision that the selectors have made in a long time.
You also have to ask yourselves, why did Pieterson come here to play if he was such a fantastic player? Answer the SA team did not want him, far too much trouble.
They will be begging him back after they lose this series and slip further down the test rankings.
Apologies have been made and lets not forget that a number of the England team were followers of a spoof twitter account mocking Pietersen. They showed no regard for their fellow professional yet the book is thrown at him for his indiscretion.
I thought English cricket had developed and the stupid old school tie brigade had gone but clearly not! I for one would rather have a team of winners with the likes of Pietersen in the side than the stiff upper lip brigade of losers that embarrased the nation in the past.
Sad day for England Cricket fans, mark my words we will get stuffed in India, why do you think Strauss retired when he did?
We are, none of us, indispensible. death has a funny way of proving that point. Mr. Pieterson shot himself in the foot with his treacherous ungentlemanly behaviour; an injury which may yet prove to be fatal.. Surely, even someone as arrogant as Mr. Pieterson appears to be cannot be "disappointed" that he has not been selected to tour with the England team. Perhaps Mr. Pieterson should be guided by the old maxim, 'If you are unable to say anything good about some one or some thing, then it is best to say nothing at all.' Further, perhaps Mr. Pieterson - who should know this coming from the dark continent - should consider that it may be unwise to position oneself upwind in close poximity to a rhino (with the media represented as the odd toed ungulate in this scenario).
