ECB took a principle stance by dropping Kevin Pietersen, says Tim Bresnan – Cricket News Update
The Yorkshire and English all-rounder, Tim Bresnan, believes that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had the right to take disciplinary action against Kevin Pietersen but expressed that the legendary batsman will be welcomed in the dressing room upon his comeback to the national team.
Pietersen is not having friendly relations with the ECB since the start of the season, also announcing his retirement from the shorter versions of the game in May. The 32-year-old cricketer wanted the authorities to give him some flexibility in the international schedule and allow him to play the whole season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) next year.
During the recently concluded Headingley Test, the South Africa born English player sent controversial text messages to some of the South African players (Dale Steyn and AB de Villiers), which have resulted in his exclusion from the squad, although the right-handed batsman blasted a superb ton to help his team compete against the Proteas.
Bresnan is of the view that no player is bigger than the game and ECB’s position on discipline must remain consistent.
"I think the ECB and the management have got to take a stance at some point and it doesn't necessarily matter what's going on in the calendar. If they feel the stance is now then the stance is now," said the all-rounder.
Pietersen has been replaced by young Jonny Bairstow, who showed encouraging signs by smashing a hundred against Australia ‘A’ last week. It remains to be seen whether the 22-year-old cricketer is able to raise his game on such an important occasion or not, as the outcome of the series will decide the number one ranked Test team of the world.
The all-rounder further added that Petersen will not have any issues adjusting with the team, if and when he returns to international cricket.
"Personally I've got no problem with Kevin so yeah, if everyone a lot higher up the pecking order than me says it's deemed okay for him to come back and play that's fine by me," Bresnan added. "It's the same welcome he'll get as Jonny got when he joined the squad yesterday."
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