Pietersen to be named as England captain

some sort of kitchen related name

Apologies if this has already been linked.

In which Strauss seems to give Pietersen support

"It is a brave decision because KP [Pietersen] hasn't done much captaincy before. But I think he has matured a lot in the last couple of years"

Clive Rice encouraged KP to leave and obviously played a big role in him signing for Nottinghamshire, but I think they were mutually exclusive events. No matter what you say, the English system nurtured his batsmanship and fully deserves to reap the rewards of that education. Only his South African attitude has contributed to him getting this far. He'd probably be Robin Peterson nowadays if he had stayed in South Africa. In his shadowed autobiography, KP seems to intimate that South Africa thought he was crap, and perhaps they had a point. And yes, I can ashamedly say I read that piece of crap book (from the library) - the story itself is an interesting one and actually worth reading for a cricketer of Pietersen's age.

The perception of him as a mercenary is misguided - he sacrificed a lot in the early days to get this far, and did the hard yards to be eligible to play for England. It has made me wonder if all Englishmen should have to play in FC cricket for four years before they can play for England. They'd be better players for it.

The One wrote:

embee wrote:Did Cook see KP's potential as a batsman or a spinner?

wasnt it rice?

who is hungry ?

bliksem wrote:

Brass Monkey wrote:

bliksem wrote:

Sounds to me as though you're the ones who should get over it.

I find it weird that Kevin Pietersen, who in my eyes is nothing more than a cricketing mercenary, is now England captain. I find it a strange reward for someone who took the easy way out. Get over it.

You've been unable to ascertain how KP's ride was easier by upping sticks. You've been unable to ascertain exactly how someone serving a long qualification period, paying his dues in CC and touring everywhere with England for the past three years is a cricketing mercenary. Bar the obvious, narrow-minded one that he's a SA who came to Eng.

It's alright, I've gone past hoping for a well reasoned rebuttal from you, so I don't expect one.

As I said before, because he went from having little future in SA cricket, being unable to make the senior Natal team at the time, to having a guaranteed contract with Notts for 3 years. I have actually said that before in this thread, so it would be nice if you could read it this time instead of just blithering on about not receiving a reply.

He was only 19 at that time,, wasn't he? Why would he, at that age, think he has little future in SA cricket?

The fact that Pietersen appears to have a rather low opinion of coach Peter Moores makes him a great selection, IMHO.

Hopefully he can oust that mealy-mouthed yes man once the series is over and England can finally clear the decks and start again.

The Moores era has been useless - it's Steve McClown all over again.

Maybe KP can depose Moores and install himself as great dictator. He could also do away with the selection committee and we could go down the fascist charismatic leader route. Worth a try. Especially if he starts killing people.

Or he could force everyone to have blond highlights or whatever it is he did to his hair.

That would be something, especially on Monty.

Whatever KP's attitude was re. the move mercenary or not, SA coaches must have been blind at least not to recognise his talent with the bat.

Or are English coaches the Professor Henry Higgins of the cricket world?

furriner wrote:Apologies if this has already been linked.

In which Strauss seems to give Pietersen support

"It is a brave decision because KP [Pietersen] hasn't done much captaincy before. But I think he has matured a lot in the last couple of years"

I like the use of the word "brave". Rather like Sir Humphrey Appleby when he used to tell Hacker:

"That would be a courageous decision, Minister."

meaning it would be politically suicidal!

Strauss is clearly miffed at being overlooked twice for the captaincy, once before the Ashes tour and now as a replacement for Vaughan. He is the Colin Cowdrey of the modern era and would be the "safe pair of hands" the selectors would turn to if everything went pear-shaped before, or during, next year's Ashes series. If KP does manage to stick out a 4 or 5-year term it will be Bell or Cook who will be the long-term successor.

Strauss should really worry about consolidating his place though.

embee wrote:How many was the "quota" when KP left?

In the Natal team of the time there was a self-imposed quota of 5 players of Asain descent.

Thanks , Taips

...and one of the "good" asian players was a spinner?

What was the situation at the other Saffie teams?

Would have to look up who was in the the team at the time TBH. Maybe Goolam Bodi.

I think it was probably 3 POC's.

What compounded his problem is that he was in the wrong province.

Bodi sounds familiar ... I remember the name from '05 when KP debuted and some journo was having a cheap shot at the Saffies for "letting him go" and produced Bodi's FC stats for comparison with KP ...wasn't flattering if i remember correctly

The funny part is that Bodi has moved to the Titans as an opening bat and doesn't bowl anymore. He nearly got into the SA ODI squad as a spinner but got injured.

I cant think of many spinners who should/would seriously be considered for FC cricket at 19 ...

Gulam Bodi was born in India but emigrated to South Africa as a teenager and went on to represent SA Schools and played for the Under-19 side in the World Cup. He came close to a national call-up as well - he was summoned to the West Indies but broke a finger - but then slipped from the radar. It had been his left-arm chinamen that first caught the eye, but the bowling took a back seat as he concentrated on his batting. The introduction of Pro20 brought a new lease of life to his game and after a successful run in the top order for the Titans he was named in the Twenty20 World Championship squad.

Forgot he got a couple of ganes as a bat in the oDI squad.

Back on the topic, it would be funny if Pietersen turns out to be a cautious, plodding skipper.

Yeah, bloody hilarious...

furriner wrote:Back on the topic, it would be funny if Pietersen turns out to be a cautious, plodding skipper.

Is that your wishful thinking ahead of this coming winter tour, furrie?

That would make it funnier still Merlo. I'd positively die laughing.

furriner wrote:That would make it funnier still Merlo. I'd positively die laughing.

There's your silver lining.

I thought Dermot Reeve snorted all the sliver lining.

Waggy and Piper got some