Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre
Can't help but think that England have cut off their nose to spite their face here. Sure, he's done something pretty dumb with the texts - he's not the first bloke (nor champion cricketer, for that matter).
However, it's not unfair for him to have thought they wouldn't find the media as they have - doesn't exactly paint whoever has leaked it in the greatest light either.
Going in to their most important Test for a few years though England have significantly - very significantly - weakened themselved in order for captain/coach to prove a point. I don't think it reflects on either of them all that well that things got to this point to be honest - they've clearly not managed the situation all that well. If they were terrific man managers, this would have been sorted a good few months ago.
Really don't think anyone has won here after all - but England are so much weaker for leaving him out. Think they've taken things a touch too far.
PS: No slight on Jonny Bairstow either who looks a terrific talent. But he's no KP yet.
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Don't think there's any doubt England are significantly weakened by the absence of Pietersen, even more so when he is one of the few players capable at scoring at a high enough strike rate as to allow ourselves ample time to try and bowl SA out twice in a must win game.
However, I do think we've only weakened ourselves in the short-term, think the long-term benefits will far outweigh what would have happened had England allowed KP (or any other players that may begin to think in this fashion) to continue in this manner.