http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KP-Pietersen-c1806 apology – Cricket News Update
Former England Test captain Andrew Strauss has confirmed that out-of-favour England batsman Kevin Pietersen has personally apologised to him after having allegedly demeaned Strauss in text messages sent to members of the South African team, and went on to
confirm that the relationship between the two had been repaired.
“It was good that we spoke and got a few things out in the open,” Strauss said while speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live during the PCA awards held in London. “We've always been good friends. It was an awkward time this summer for all sorts of people.
“I will have no problems meeting up with Kevin and having a beer with him, definitely. We've been through a lot together, we've had huge shared experiences, and nothing changes in that respect.”
Pietersen incited a stand-off with the England and Wales Cricket Board earlier this year, after announcing his retirement from all forms of international limited-overs cricket, claiming the international schedule was too hectic and not flexible enough –
a hint at his wish to have sufficient time for participating in T20 competitions such as the Indian Premier League.
He expressed the desire to be allowed to continue playing T20Is, while retiring from ODIs, but the ECB did not consider his request. The situation worsened during http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c749 – after scoring a match-saving century during the second Test
in Leeds, Pietersen called a press conference during which he accused the ECB of turning a deaf ear to his requests, and threatened to quit Test cricket. He also went on to hint at discord in the England dressing room, between the players and himself.
The board reacted by dropping Pietersen from the playing XI for the final Test against South Africa, in addition to excluding him from the 15-man squad for the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 World Twenty20 2012 – a heavy blow, considering Pietersen was the Player of the Tournament
when England were crowned World T20 champions in 2009-10.
The issue reached a climax when it was revealed that Pietersen had sent derogatory texts, targeting then captain Andrew Strauss, to members of the visiting South African team. The 32-year-old immediately issued an apology video via Youtube, making himself
available for all formats again, but it had little to no effect on the ECB.
The chain of tumultuous events, in addition to England’s Test defeats at the hands of the Proteas, culminated in Strauss announcing his retirement from all forms of cricket. While many blamed Pietersen as the reason behind his decision, Strauss stressed
otherwise.
His recent confirmation of a reconciliation between Pietersen and himself is sure to work in the right-hander’s favour, as he looks to make his way back into the England team in time for the tour of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 next year. Newly-appointed Test skipper Alastair
Cook has also confirmed that talks between Pietersen and the board are currently ongoing.
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