Cricket

[captainfog]

They played cricket together at Sydney university, and lived together for a while.

fair enough, still, it was a throw away comment from Cowan. KP been saying for ages he's going to keep going for another 2 years.

[Chazza]

Unless Flower remains coach.

[captainfog]

Unless Flower remains coach.

I don't think KP has made any ultimatums, has he?

[Chazza]

No but from reading those articles if Flower remains coach KP won't be getting picked for England.

[Red_Polo]

fair enough, still, it was a throw away comment from Cowan. KP been saying for ages he's going to keep going for another 2 years.

Absolutely, but I think Cowan's comments are more likely to be him putting stuff into the public domain he thinks can support a mate rather than the implied aimless guesswork or fabrication.

[captainfog]

No but from reading those articles if Flower remains coach KP won't be getting picked for England.

Oh, I see what you mean, that's different from retiring though. What I meant was that KP will be available for a couple of years.

He'll play, he's too good not to. It will be an almighty **** up from England if they drop him.

[captainfog]

Absolutely, but I think Cowan's comments are more likely to be him putting stuff into the public domain he thinks can support a mate rather than the implied aimless guesswork or fabrication.

He's quite tactical like that. I wouldn't be surprised if all the interviews about wanted to play on are positioning himself in media because he knew it was all going to kick off after this tour.

I don't like the ECB. Old school fuddy duddies. I said back during text gate that they were like a bunch of public school headmasters ticking off a naughty school child. Pathetic.

[Red_Polo]

Still, at least English football isn't run the same way

[Buzzo]

We had **** teams then, especially under Athers, I thought they were both tremendous captains and practically everyone who played under them talks about what great leaders they were.

it was a cheap shot at their records. I agree actually Athers and Nas are made of the right stuff. They both speak eloquently about the game, interesting that they defend Flower though.

[Chazza]

Kevin Pietersen: Andy Flower calls ultimatum reports 'inaccurate'

Coach Andy Flower has denied he issued an ultimatum that would see either him or Kevin Pietersen quit England.

Several newspapers have reported that Flower was prepared to quit England if the batsman stayed with the team after a humiliating Ashes overseas tour.
Flower said: "The reports that I have issued an ultimatum of some description to the ECB are totally inaccurate."

Pietersen tweeted: "I am shocked and saddened by reports in the media today concerning my future with England."

The 33-year-old added: "I wish to repeat my strong desire to continue playing for my country and to help us regain the Ashes in 2015."

England rose to number one in the world Test rankings in August 2011 and completed their third consecutive Ashes series victory with a 3-0 home win over Australia in the summer of 2013.

But the tourists were heavily beaten in all five Tests in Australia and have now slipped to fourth in the rankings.
Ahead of a two-Test series against Sri Lanka in June and a five-Test series against world number two side India a month later, Flower has said he wants to stay and rebuild England's five-day side.

But the 45-year-old insisted in a statement that no decisions have yet been made as to how that rebuild will take shape.
"Following speculation in the media, I feel it necessary to reiterate much of what I said in my recent press conference," he said.

"It would be sensible and responsible to review the tour in a calm and logical manner before assessing our options for the future and planning ahead.
"I repeat that neither I nor the wider ECB leadership group have made any decisions as to the future involvement of any individuals in the playing group or in the support staff."

On Tuesday, former England spinner Phil Tufnell criticised the manner of Pietersen's dismissals during the Ashes whitewash against Australia.
But Pietersen finished the series as England's leading run scorer with 294 runs at an average of 29.40.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/25648554

[Shaggy]

Ha. I don't believe their denial.

[captainfog]

Ha. I don't believe their denial.

Me neither. Flower gave such a politicians response!

[Buzzo]

The statement is so careful... This England team leaks so much information to the press its ridonkulous.

I can't abide reading the 'silly dismisals' discussion. As Vaughan has alluded to Pietersen is such a talent and destructive batsman that you cannot expect him to change his game. Do that and you risk losing his destructive innings when he comes in after a decent opening when England are on top. He is one of the few batsmen in cricket that can win a game for you over a couple of sessions. If you want that side of his game then you have to accept the occasional crazy dismissal, and if England are so reliant on his innings - then why get rid of him. He still has the best average from this tour, so surely other players should be receiving similar grief and analysis.

Messy and all played out for the media.

[captainfog]

Broad and Prior have talked a man out of jumping off a bridge in Sydney! Heroes!

[Buzzo]

Broad and Prior have talked a man out of jumping off a bridge in Sydney! Heroes!

...There is a joke in their somewhere?