Here’s a post for your comments as today’s events unfold. We’ll add more later when we can. Here’s the top line so far on Pietersen, as reported by the BBC.
Kevin Pietersen will not be recalled to play for England this summer, says director of cricket Andrew Strauss.
Pietersen was told of the decision on Monday night, hours after scoring a career-best 326 not out for Surrey.
The 34-year-old was sacked by England in February 2014, but had opted to play county cricket this summer in a bid to return to the England Test team.
Strauss told Sky Sports on Tuesday that there was a “massive trust issue” between himself and Pietersen.
He added: “Nobody has doubted his ability as a player, his record stands up in cricket.
“But over months and years the trust between him and the England and Wales Cricket Board has eroded.
“There is a massive trust issue between me and Kevin, I wish it wasn’t the case. Because of that we decided it was in the best short-term interests for him not to be part of the team.
“I can’t give him any guarantees but nobody knows what will happen in the future.”
Strauss also confirmed that Cook will remain as captain and Joe Root replaces Ian Bell as vice-captain.
Trust is performance on the pitch.
KP would only pack in the IPL for county cricket if he had reasonable assurances he had a shot at getting back in the team. Now he gets the shaft from Strauss.
Stabbed in the back by the ECB for the third time.
Trust issues eh? What could possibly have caused those Andrew?
Bye bye English cricket.. We’ve had some fun, but now it’s over. No more test match tickets and my SkySports subscription will be cancelled. (My previous dalliance with football ended years ago.) My other interests will now see the benefits. So long.
What a doos!!
You’re not getting married to him you twat. Who’s the C*nt now Andrew?
Those who think only a tiny online minority of social media zealots want Pietersen back care to explain the 90% majority in the DT poll who want him recalled or the 76% majority in the BBC poll?
Some non-Pietersen issues that are in danger of getting lost:
1) Root was made Test v/c so Bell has been sacked from that role.
2) The Test and ODI coaching roles are not going to be separated (as some like George Dobell had suggested they would be).
3) The selection procedure is going to remain unchanged until a review at the end of the summer. That suggests Whitaker keeps his job for now and two county coaches carry on despite the manifest conflict of interests. No mention what role Strauss will play in team selection.