“It’s not all about the money”. In a bizarre about-face, Kevin Pietersen has reaffirmed his commitment to England cricket and retracted previous statements in a video – released only hours ago.
It was only four days ago during a press conference post Headingley Test where an emotional Kevin Pietersen failed to assure his future beyond the drawn test against South Africa.
“I can’t give any assurances that the next Test won’t be my last,” Pietersen said.
“I’d like to carry on but there are obstacles that need to be worked out. There are other points I’m trying to sort out in the dressing room.
“I want to commit to all forms of cricket for England because I love playing for England,” Pietersen said.
Those issues in the dressing sheds now seemingly sorted and Pietersen’s desire to represent England is now as strong as ever.
“I had a really, really, really good long chat to a teammate of mine yesterday. We went through everything, we went through differences, we went through loads of different things and I finished that conversation a very very happy bloke”.
Pietersen, 32, has never forgiven the ECB for sacking him as captain and fell out with his employers again recently, retiring from one-day cricket because he could skip some limited overs series.
The fractured relationship between KP and the ECB once again arose when Pietersen’s request to miss the Test series against New Zealand in March so he can play in the IPL was rejected. Such a proposition the ECB could or would never consider for fear of setting a precedent.
The ball is now in the ECB’s court. Their response seemingly will come with the selection or non-selection of KP in the upcoming Test match at Lords and in future ODI’s and Twenty20 tournaments.
Putting last week’s controversial comments down to his “emotional state” and the fact that he “shoots from the hip” Pietersen would not go as far as admitting he regretted his comments but stated that he “didn’t handle the press conference well at all” and that he is now “trying to move forward”.
KP’s talent has never been questioned, but one must now ask, how will his team mates respond to the latest saga that is Kevin Pietersen’s career.
Have KP’s team-mates have run out of patience with the star batsman? This isn’t a one-off story.
It’s shouldn’t be about Kevin Pietersen, it’s should be about an England side who are trying to hold on to that No 1 status.
England players must now surely be sick and tired of hearing about Kevin Pietersen.
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