KP's 100th Test...

In Brisbane this week assuming he's fit and selected... I know it's not quite the momentous achievement it once was, especially as we've seen a 200th and a 150th within the past week, but still a milestone we wouldn't have expected to be achieved at various points over the eight years since he made his debut, also in an Ashes opener!

Say what you like about him, he's been a box office player... from skunk-haired wild child of the history-making 2005 side to the still divisive and controversial elder statesman of England batting, through switch hits, Red Bull fuelled kamikaze singles to get off the mark, a brief and turbulent flirtation with the captaincy, text-gate, numerous injuries, counties, retirements, un-retirements and reintegration... it's never been dull anyway.

So here's to KP, the talisman, the entertainer, the doos at times... while he may be a bit hit and miss these days and certainly won't have another 100 or even 50 Tests in the tank, hopefully there's plenty more memorable innings to come before he drifts off into the sunset and the global T20 circus!

Agreed. Top player!

It's been a treat to watch such an exciting player, regardless of nationality. Immensely talented and - to not sound too Brenkley - so audacious. Outstanding footwork for such a big bloke. He savages the ball like few others. It's so pleasurable to watch one of his big innings all the way through. Easily my favourite player.

He's a batting star all right.

But he can be a sillybilly too.

When his career's all said and done, there'll be plenty of grumblings about what could have been, how much more he could've achieved, yadda yadda.,

But the fact is, he's been a brilliant cricketer for England. Perhaps even more important than his numerous melodramatic innings (including the ones where the hero falls on his sword early doors), he's put "bums on seats", been a shot of personality in a pretty dour England outfit, invigorated endless debate, and paid the mortgage of a multitude of hack journalists.

All in all, he's been full value as a cricketer for England and good luck to him. We'll miss him when he's gone.

A note of caution to KP - the last two England players to play their 100th Test (Strauss and Thorpe) never managed a 101st. The last two to move beyond the milestone were Atherton and Stewart who played their 100th, and 101st, Tests together.

and that did athers and satewie no good at all...but congrats to KP - one of the most entertaining bats produced by the saffies

Well done, KP. May you celebrate with a shithouse performance.  

Shit hot performance you mean, surely...

beamer wrote:A note of caution to KP - the last two England players to play their 100th Test (Strauss and Thorpe) never managed a 101st. The last two to move beyond the milestone were Atherton and Stewart who played their 100th, and 101st, Tests together.

He never scores runs in the first Test of a series, so it'll be a quiet affair, but unless his knee explodes I think he'll make it to 105.

Whether he goes far beyond that, I'm not so sure.

Didn't realise it was a six-match series...

Numeracy is overrated.

Top effort from a top cricketer.
Whilst frustrating sometimes, he's always a pleasure to watch.

Go burn 'em Kev ...

The 105th could always be a ceremonial home farewell against crap opposition. On second thoughts, that idea would never catch on would it...

Makaveli wrote:Agreed. Top player!

Yay Mak! Where have you been, man?

beamer wrote:The 105th could always be a ceremonial home farewell against crap opposition. On second thoughts, that idea would never catch on would it...

Aye, what's good for the goose . . . and all that . . . . but a word of caution beams . . .
. . . . there are some uber sensitive souls on here who'd take grave exception to your phraseology above. . .

The Bannies tour here next year!!!!

Yeah, I forgot to welcome Mak back - I just got caught up in a KP beat off.

Good to see you Makaveli.

Merlin wrote:

beamer wrote:The 105th could always be a ceremonial home farewell against crap opposition. On second thoughts, that idea would never catch on would it...

Aye, what's good for the goose . . . and all that  . . . . but a word of caution beams  . . .
. . . . there are some uber sensitive souls on here who'd take grave exception to your phraseology above. . .

The Bannies tour here next year!!!!

I was thinking more an IPL-ravaged Sri Lanka second string in May... still, if India play like they did last time they were over here they could fit the bill as well...

Stacks of articles to honour this occasion and a customary volley of trash talk between the teams involving KP.

Certainly never a dull moment when he's around. He admits to having no regrets.

Wayne Smith in the oz -

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/cricket/ton-up-kevin-pietersen-confident-in-ability/story-e6frg7rx-1226763523390

As headlines go that is in the same league as 'The Pope is a Catholic!'

PeterCS wrote:

Makaveli wrote:Agreed. Top player!

Yay Mak! Where have you been, man?

I got a life!  

Kind of fell out of love with cricket to be honest, match fixing, poor umpiring, 20/20, teams making 350 and chasing with ease and every tom dick and harry with a 50+ average.

One thing good is seeing the Aussies disintegrate and get spanked by England  .

Makaveli wrote:

PeterCS wrote:

Makaveli wrote:Agreed. Top player!

Yay Mak! Where have you been, man?

I got a life!  

Kind of fell out of love with cricket to be honest, match fixing, poor umpiring, 20/20, teams making 350 and chasing with ease and every tom dick and harry with a 50+ average.
One thing good is seeing the Aussies disintegrate and get spanked by England  .

Don't let that shyte get you down man....there's always flaming bails to put it in persecutive.  

Makaveli wrote:

PeterCS wrote:

Makaveli wrote:Agreed. Top player!

Yay Mak! Where have you been, man?

I got a life!  

Kind of fell out of love with cricket to be honest, match fixing, poor umpiring, 20/20, teams making 350 and chasing with ease and every tom dick and harry with a 50+ average.

One thing good is seeing the Aussies disintegrate and get spanked by England  .

Hey . . . welcome back you Gooner!
I need some back-up on here, especially when dallying with the dello man!!

Makaveli wrote:

PeterCS wrote:

Makaveli wrote:Agreed. Top player!

Yay Mak! Where have you been, man?

I got a life!  

Kind of fell out of love with cricket to be honest, match fixing, poor umpiring, 20/20, teams making 350 and chasing with ease and every tom dick and harry with a 50+ average.

One thing good is seeing the Aussies disintegrate and get spanked by England  .

Well thanks for coming along and woofing the good guys, you plank.

Merlin's already predicted a walkover.

We're going to hubris it to the max.

Merlin wrote:

Makaveli wrote:

PeterCS wrote:

Makaveli wrote:Agreed. Top player!

Yay Mak! Where have you been, man?

I got a life!  

Kind of fell out of love with cricket to be honest, match fixing, poor umpiring, 20/20, teams making 350 and chasing with ease and every tom dick and harry with a 50+ average.

One thing good is seeing the Aussies disintegrate and get spanked by England  .

Hey  . . . welcome back you Gooner!
I need some back-up on here, especially when dallying with the dello man!!

Oh, perfect timing, the jinx twins working in tandem.

You should be ashamed of yourselves.