Kevin Pietersen has upset greater than his justifiable share of teammates through the years, and one picture exhibits they’re not in a rush to be mates with him once more any time quickly.
Appearing collectively for Sky Sports at stumps on day two of the Lord’s Test, Pietersen and his former captain Andrew Strauss, sporting varied shades of purple in help of the Ruth Strauss Foundation as is now conventional for the Lord’s Test, have been seen on digital camera with daylight between them, and no obvious need to get any nearer.
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The pair’s chilly physique language could be a remnant from their scandal-ridden enjoying days, which noticed Pietersen finally sacked for allegedly texting opposition gamers in the course of a Test match.
Fans watching on could not assist however level out the frosty stress between the pair, a stark distinction to the jovial nature usually on show when Pietersen traces up alongside Ricky Ponting.
The top of turbulence within the England arrange got here in 2012, with the star batter caught sending derogatory texts about teammates Strauss and coach Andy Flower to opposition gamers throughout a Test match.
The texts reportedly referred to Strauss as a “doos” – an Afrikaans slang time period broadly translating to an fool, and reportedly additionally included info on tips on how to get Strauss out.
In 2013, Strauss went public over the scandal, saying he felt “let down” by Pietersen in his autobiography.
Strauss, recalling his emotions, wrote: “The England cricket team are in crisis again. Coach Andy Flower and I have found ourselves in the middle of a destabilising and potentially damaging PR game between Kevin Pietersen, the England cricket team and the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board).
“I feel incredibly tired, as though I have simply run out of energy — I have nothing more to give. I am also wallowing in a rising tide of sadness. This is not the way I wanted my England career to end.
“I was dumbfounded. I wasn‘t all that bothered about him sending texts to a few South African players he knew quite well. I did, however, have issues with him criticising me to the opposition.
“That felt like talking out of school, not to mention giving the opposition a way to drive a wedge between Pietersen and myself and the team.
“From that moment, clear battle lines were drawn between Pietersen and the ECB, with both sides involved in a PR/legal battle to gain public support and cover themselves in the event of litigation.
“There were many involved with English cricket, including myself, who felt particularly let down.
“For me, he (Pietersen) had crossed the line. He seemed to be at best destabilising and at worst undermining our carefully cultivated team environment.”
It’s not the primary time this Test match that Pietersen has seen his relationships with former teammates come to the floor, together with his passionate monologue at tea on day two whacked by former quick bowler Steve Harmison.
Pietersen was furious at Ben Stokes’ England crew being visibly pleasant with the visiting Australians in addition to not enjoying aggressive sufficient cricket, permitting the Aussies to succeed in 5 for 339 at stumps on day one.
Pietersen branded the English as “shambolic”, saying it “wasn’t good enough”, and that it was “not Ashes cricket”.
Steve Harmison hit again at his former comrade, telling talkSPORT that Pietersen’s views “wouldn’t be well received” by any dressing room.
“I don’t think it was justified,” Harmison stated, discussing the views of each Pietersen and former England captain Michael Vaughan, who additionally criticised the present facet.
“I think this team has had one or two bad days in 12-13 months.
“I think some of the stuff that they were having a go at them (for), too matey, I think there’s a time and a place.
“But they’re in the mainstream media, they’re paid to give their opinion, and I’m not going to knock Kevin for having his opinion – he’s always had it.
“He was always forceful with it, it wasn’t always warranted, it wasn’t always best received!
“I’m sure it wasn’t best received in the England dressing room (ahead of day two), it certainly wasn’t best received by the England dressing room when we were in it!
“But a few of us could say to Kevin, in no uncertain terms, to shut up.
“But he’s getting paid to give his opinion.”
Harmison stated whereas Pietersen’s views had some advantage, they have been greatest expressed in hindsight, relatively than after day one when there was “plenty of cricket to play”.
Heading into day 4, after a calamitous capitulation that noticed England lose their final 9 wickets for 137 runs regardless of Australia being down a bowler courtesy of a calf damage to Nathan Lyon, Australia now lead by 221 runs with eight wickets in hand, firmly within the field seat to go 2-0 up within the collection.
Source: www.news.com.au
