England Summer Test Cricket

[captainfog]

That helmet is a ****ing shocker. And it leaves Englands batting depth and experience very thin.

From an SA perspective. KP is a ****ing prick, I'm so happy he left even when he was/is performing well, because tbh I wouldn't want cocky, self absorbed prima donnas like that always looking for the spot light in the team. Don't get me wrong on his day (like the 1st innings of the last test) he can swing a game, which is very difficult to do with bat in hand, I'm pretty much positive we'd have won that test if it wasn't for that knock, but ****ing hell. It wouldn't surprise me after his retirement if he was the type to have a reality show called 'the Pietersens'.

He's always been like this and I can't say this is a huge surprise to me either, how said that Gulam Bodi (one of the best provincial cricketers in South Africa, ironically just signed for the same IPL franchise Delhi Daredevils) was only picked ahead of him because of quota systems when KP at that stage was a ****ty off spinner who could slog a quick 20 or 30 whilst batting at 8 or 9. Talk about excuses. That, combined with him slagging off Smith in the public, his English captaincy, his Lion tattoo/ his fake forced England accent, the way he talks about himself "the fans love watching me play for England" etc. What a ****wit. The fact he even released that interview someone posted above is a disgrace. He got what he deserved, trying to suck up.

On the game though, I'm pumped there's never going to be a much better opportunity to win back to back series away from home. The media circus, the 1 game lead, good history at Lords, stacked batting line up, general good form etc. On a future note, I would like to see de Villiers perhaps go back to just batting if he fails to register a big score in this game. I'm not saying it's the reason why, but he got 2 40's and didn't turn either of them into more meaningful totals, perhaps I'm reading into it too much, but it's pretty unusual for him to get going twice and not make scores of 80+. Saying that, the Headingly pitch was an awkward one where batsmen are never quite 'in' on and England bowled very disciplined lines. Otherwise it looks like Peterson will be fit, so they'll most likely name the same 11.

Fair enough slagging Smith off, he's the biggest cunt in cricket. My biggest disappointment of this series is not that we are losing but that we haven't managed to break his fingers.

[Chazza]

Fair enough slagging Smith off, he's the biggest cunt in cricket. My biggest disappointment of this series is not that we are losing but that we haven't managed to break his fingers.

[Zapater]

Can you please explain why? I've seen just about every test he's ever played and can't come to grasps with this almost universal notion that Smith is a cunt. He's a good player who did his best to steer us through the post Pollock mortem as a very young player.

I always wonder what could have been if Hansie was never caught/wasn't dodgy, SA cricket is only recovering from that now really.

[captainfog]

The fact its a universal notion must tell you something. HA!

He's just a an aggressive, outspoken, win at all costs prick, plus his face is very punchable. Haha for me he just oozes cunt vibes. Always has. My least favorite cricketer by miles.

[Tee]

Smith is a class act on and off the pitch.

[captainfog]

Smith is a class act on and off the pitch.

he's an uber cunt.

kallis on the other hand, now he is a class act.

[Tee]

he's an uber cunt.

kallis on the other hand, now he is a class act.

TBH there aren't any SA players that really grate me. Don't understand the Smith hatred.

[Shaggy]

Must admit I've never got the Smith/cunt thing.

[Buzzo]

What a ****ing mess this Pieterson thing is.

He does not handle himself well in these instances and should perhaps look for a better manager to advise him in these situations as he has now kind of backed himself into a corner and I can't see him handling the whole 'public apology' thing all that well Without seeing what he texted it is hard to know whether one is justified anyway. I wonder who grassed him up?

...That said he has equally not been handled all that well by the ECB, he is Englands most destructive batsman (on the field) and a real marquee neame whom the public want to see. Not having him in the side is damaging to both Pietersen and England.
Its a no win situation, which need someone to resolve quickly. This stand off is pathetic from both sides.

On other notes, I used to think Smith was a cock - but he interviews really well these days. Seems to have grown up a lot and you forget he was so young when he first became captain of SA.

I see nothing other than a series win for SA. Englands batting lineup without KP looks weak, and they don't know what they are doing with the bowling line up. SA will smell blood.

[Shaggy]

Andrew Strauss on Pietersen texts apology: "It is a first step definitely. There’s a lot more to investigate with all this"

[captainfog]

Andrew Strauss on Pietersen texts apology: "It is a first step definitely. There’s a lot more to investigate with all this"

What a cunt.

Did you see the ECB response? They posted it on Facebook ().... so pompous. They are a joke.

[Shaggy]

Aye

The England and Wales Cricket Board has received an apology from Kevin Pietersen and an admission that he did send 'provocative' text messages to members of the South African team.

Kevin Pietersen has said in his apology: “I did send what you might call provocative texts to my close friends in the SA team.

“The texts were meant as banter between close friends. I need to rein myself in sometimes.

“I apologise to Straussy and the team for the inappropriate remarks at the press conference and for the texts. I truly didn't mean to cause upset or tension particularly with important games at stake.”

England Managing Director Hugh Morris said: "We are in receipt of Kevin's apology, but further discussions need to take place to establish whether it is possible to regain the trust and mutual respect required to ensure all parties are able to focus on playing cricket and to maintain the unity of purpose that has served us so well in recent years.

“Critically, those discussions should take place behind closed doors, rather than in the media spotlight.

“A successful conclusion to this process is in everyone's best interests and is required for Kevin Pietersen's potential selection in all forms of the game to be considered.

“At the moment we have an important Investec Test match to focus on and therefore ECB will make no further comment until such time as is appropriate.”

[captainfog]

Talk about up their own arse

Strauss has disappointed me too. Dick Head.

[Chazza]

All parties have made a right **** up of this.

Its sad that we are about to go into a must win test without our best batsman over this mess.

[Zapater]

Anyone hear Gough's tirade on talksport?