England Summer Test Cricket

[ChesterDave]

He had some decent knocks in the IPL.

Averaged 61 this year.

300+ runs in the 8 matches he played. 3 NO and HS of 103*. I'd be surprised if any other English batsmen got figures anywhere near that on Indian pitches.

[Shaggy]

Richard Burgess @rburgessbbc
KP statement: "Pietersen has met with + apologised to Andrew Strauss. He's also met with Alastair Cook to stress his commitment to England"

[Shaggy]

Pietersen statement (released by his agents)

"Kevin Pietersen is naturally disappointed about today's decision, having gone to great lengths to reach a reconciliation with the ECB."

"Pietersen has met with – and apologised to – Andrew Strauss. He has also met with Alastair Cook to stress his commitment to England and met with ECB board members, including face-to-face meetings with Hugh Morris, David Collier and Andy Flower, prior to his departure to Sri Lanka.

"At all times, Pietersen had wished his dealings with the ECB to remain private so as not to inflame an already difficult situation.

"His recent silence was not an admission of any wrong-doing; he wanted to explain and apologise to the ECB for the messages exchanged with members of the South African team.

"He has also made absolutely clear both to the ECB and the England team that – despite unsubstantiated allegations to the contrary and repeated media speculation – he did NOT offer ANY tactical advice to the South Africans. No way.

"Pietersen remains available for England."

[captainfog]

Hardly, Id say looking at that 2007/2008 was his purple patch.

Still think he is a brilliant cricketer. Just a prick.

That's purely ODI though, isn't it?

[Alex]

Yeah it is, but its a good judge of form is it not? Couldn't find the Test match graph.

[Chazza]

Andrew Strauss says Kevin Pietersen has apologised to him
Retired England cricket captain Andrew Strauss says his former team-mate Kevin Pietersen has apologised to him.

Pietersen, 32, was dropped by England in August for sending "provocative" text messages to South Africa players.

"We had a good chat and he apologised to me, which was great but what was said between us will remain between us," said Strauss, 35, who retired from all forms of cricket in August.

Pietersen was left out of England's tour to India on Tuesday.

The texts sent by the batsman to South Africans allegedly criticised Strauss and reportedly gave advice on how to get him out, although Pietersen denied he had offered tactical advice.

Strauss said: "It was good that we spoke and got a few things out in the open.

"We've always been good friends. It was an awkward time this summer for all sorts of people.

"I will have no problems meeting up with Kevin and having a beer with him, definitely.

"We've been through a lot together, we've had huge shared experiences, and nothing changes in that respect."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/19670829

[Chazza]

Kevin Pietersen says he hopes all the furore surrounding his international future can be sorted in time for him to tour New Zealand in February.

Pietersen, 32, was dropped by England in August for sending "provocative" text messages to South Africa players and omitted from the squad for India.

He tweeted: "Hoping all is sorted & I'm on the New Zealand tour in February."

Test and one-day captain Alastair Cook had stated earlier this week he was positive about Pietersen's return.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/19669337

[Shaggy]

Good.

But we could really do with him in India

It's also unfair on the guys called up to replace him. What if they all do exceedingly well? Someone's gonna be disappointed.

[Buzzo]

God Pietersen loves a tweet eh...

Good to hear he will be back though.

[Neil Young]

Good.

But we could really do with him in India

It's also unfair on the guys called up to replace him. What if they all do exceedingly well? Someone's gonna be disappointed.

Someone may well be disappointed but it's not really unfair. It's the nature of competitive team sport.