Sorry Pietersen 'to rein himself in'
Source: Agencies |
August 16, 2012, Thursday
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ENGLAND batsman Kevin Pietersen has conceded he needs to control his behavior following his demotion from the test team for sending South Africa players text messages criticizing his teammates and staff.
Pietersen was dropped ahead of the third and final test between the two top-ranked test sides starting at Lord's today. England, trailing 0-1, needs to win to stay on as world No. 1.
"I need to rein myself in sometimes. I did send what you might call provocative texts to my close friends in the SA team," Pietersen said in an apology to the England and Wales Cricket Board yesterday.
"The texts were meant as banter between close friends. I apologize to Straussy (captain Andrew Strauss) 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."
Some of those text messages were said to include derogatory comments about Strauss and England coach Andy Flower.
ECB managing director Hugh Morris responded to Pietersen's apology in a statement yesterday.
"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.
"Those discussions should take place behind closed doors, rather than in the media spotlight."
Intimated
Pietersen had intimated after the second test, in which he scored a brilliant 149 to earn the man-of-the-match award, that he intended to retire altogether from international cricket.
He then issued a statement via a staged YouTube interview saying he was still committed to playing for England. Pietersen was dropped on the following day.
Earlier, Strauss entered the debate over Pietersen's omission, saying he regretted "dirty laundry" being aired in public.
"I've always got on with Kevin," Strauss told Sky Sports. "I've tried to be honest with him; he's been honest with me. That's why this has all been a bit of a surprise to me," Strauss said.
"I think the discontent that Kevin had with the board over his contract situation was one that the players didn't get involved in - and I didn't really get involved in, if I'm honest.
"But over the last week I have had to get involved, because there have been issues a little bit more central to his relationship with the other players and our ability to perform out in the middle."
Strauss added: "I'm a big believer in not airing dirty laundry in public.
"It's one of our core values in our team that what goes on in the dressing room stays in the dressing room.
"Any time anyone has fallen foul of that they have been disciplined - and rightly so."
Pietersen was dropped ahead of the third and final test between the two top-ranked test sides starting at Lord's today. England, trailing 0-1, needs to win to stay on as world No. 1.
"I need to rein myself in sometimes. I did send what you might call provocative texts to my close friends in the SA team," Pietersen said in an apology to the England and Wales Cricket Board yesterday.
"The texts were meant as banter between close friends. I apologize to Straussy (captain Andrew Strauss) 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."
Some of those text messages were said to include derogatory comments about Strauss and England coach Andy Flower.
ECB managing director Hugh Morris responded to Pietersen's apology in a statement yesterday.
"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.
"Those discussions should take place behind closed doors, rather than in the media spotlight."
Intimated
Pietersen had intimated after the second test, in which he scored a brilliant 149 to earn the man-of-the-match award, that he intended to retire altogether from international cricket.
He then issued a statement via a staged YouTube interview saying he was still committed to playing for England. Pietersen was dropped on the following day.
Earlier, Strauss entered the debate over Pietersen's omission, saying he regretted "dirty laundry" being aired in public.
"I've always got on with Kevin," Strauss told Sky Sports. "I've tried to be honest with him; he's been honest with me. That's why this has all been a bit of a surprise to me," Strauss said.
"I think the discontent that Kevin had with the board over his contract situation was one that the players didn't get involved in - and I didn't really get involved in, if I'm honest.
"But over the last week I have had to get involved, because there have been issues a little bit more central to his relationship with the other players and our ability to perform out in the middle."
Strauss added: "I'm a big believer in not airing dirty laundry in public.
"It's one of our core values in our team that what goes on in the dressing room stays in the dressing room.
"Any time anyone has fallen foul of that they have been disciplined - and rightly so."
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