Friday, October 10, 2014

Kevin Pietersen Still to Discover Reason for England Axe

Kevin Pietersen's decade-long international career, during which time the South Africa-born batsman became England's all-time leading run-scorer, was sensationally cut loose by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) following the team's 5-0 Ashes thrashing in Australia. Reported by: Agence France-Presse Last updated on Friday, 10 October, 2014 09:18 IST Total Shares Pietersen Surrey England

File Photo: Kevin Pietersen playing for Surrey.© AFP

London: Kevin Pietersen said Thursday he had yet to find out why he was sacked by the England and Wales Cricket Board as officials maintained their wall of silence after a deluge of publicity for his controversial autobiography.

Pietersen's decade-long international career, during which time the South Africa-born batsman became England's all-time leading run-scorer, was sensationally cut loose by the ECB following the team's 5-0 Ashes thrashing in Australia. ('IPL Ruined Kevin Pietersen')

The past few days have seen Pietersen berate former England coach Andy Flower and accuse a clique of senior bowlers, as well as wicketkeeper Matt Prior, of creating a "bullying" culture in the field.

Such has been Pietersen's intensive round of interviews -- the latest with talkSPORT Radio on Thursday -- that many potential purchasers may feel they no longer need to read his book.

But he insisted the days of accusation and counter-claim could all have been avoided had he been told why his services were being dispensed with by England.

"I was angry with the ECB when I got sacked," Pietersen said as his book went on general sale. (Pietersen Open to England Return if ECB Chief Goes)

"I wouldn't be sitting here now if the ECB had said 'this is why he got sacked'. (Vaughan Slams ECB Charges Against KP)

"But we are here, and it's such a controversial topic because nobody knows why. I don't know why."

He added that talks with the ECB in February could have avoided this week's fall-out. (KP, the Misunderstood Maverick)

"That would have been the sensible thing to do, absolutely -- and it could have been done in February if things were managed properly," he said.

"I would have sat down and I would have gone through it, because I don't want this."

- Hard yards -

The 34-year-old Pietersen has insisted he wants to play for England again.

It is hard to imagine the circumstances in which he might make an international return -- not least because he did not play County Championship cricket for Surrey last season.

Admittedly Flower is no longer England coach, having stood down after the Ashes debacle -- but he was replaced by Peter Moores, with whom Pietersen fell out during the latter's first spell as England coach.

However, Pietersen said: "I would make room for England, absolutely.

"If there was an inkling, a little chance that I would play for England, I would go and do the hard yards."

Pietersen insisted Flower was the man primarily behind his England exile.

"He should take most of the responsibility. He was the one who papered over things, didn't investigate things, the one this all falls down to.

"We are all missing out because Andy Flower had it in for me since the start of his (coaching) career."

Earlier, Pietersen suggested that all that was needed to help pave the way for his England return was for ECB chairman Giles Clarke to resign.

"What would have to happen for me to be recalled by England?" Pietersen asked in an interview with the London Evening Standard.

"Clarke would have to go, and I've been hearing that could happen in the next few months."

Pietersen has expressed regret for his "biggest mistake" -- sending text messages critical of then England captain Andrew Strauss to South Africa players during a home series with the Proteas in 2012

Strauss retired soon afterwards and Pietersen was banished from the England side for three months.

Thursday saw Strauss say English cricket itself could be damaged by Pietersen's book.

"A lot of this that's going on at the moment is madness," Strauss told Sky Sports.

"All this tit-for-tat stuff, I don't think really helps the England cricket team."

Story first published on: Friday, 10 October 2014 09:15 IST

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