Current and former players react to the situation that has led to the omission of Kevin Pietersen for England’s third Test against South Africa
ESPNcricinfo staff13-Aug-2012″Frankly, as players, all this has been a distraction we could well do without as we approach a massively important final match at Lord’s, one we must win to retain our hard-earned status as the No 1 ranked side in world cricket … Kevin talked about having issues within the dressing room. What’s frustrating is that this was, literally, the first we knew about it. Kevin has mentioned nothing to us.”
“Over the last week, Kevin has acted like a child who does not know what he wants and, as any teacher will tell you, you only need one unruly kid in the class and the whole structure of the classroom can come crashing down.”
“The message to Pietersen is clear: he has to be a team man, fully committed and nothing less.”
“What I’m hearing is that England players are now sick and tired of hearing about Kevin Pietersen in what is one of the biggest series England play.”
“Kev speaks his mind a bit and you’d like that to be refreshing but it often falls the wrong way for him.”
“Much depends how Pietersen reacts to this. If he takes his punishment and keeps quiet, then there is a chance he will come back. If he reacts badly to this and he has a history of falling out with people then there may be a permanent falling out and breakdown in relationships.”
“Put simply – cricket lovers around the world will miss watching KP’s serious talent and skill on the international stage.. Also… If KP didn’t play second test v SA the score line would read SA 2 ENG 0.. SA ranked number 1 test team in the world, need I say more..”
