Kevin Pietersen

[thesecondlaw]

"Score come runs in County Cricket, and you'll be considered for an England recall", he was told. 326 not out should have done the trick, but have too many bridges been burnt? Strauss press conference tomorrow will tell us more. If he is brought back, who will miss out? Can only be Moeen Ali surely, as Ballance, Bell and Root all seem to be in good nick. I can't see him ever playing for England again, which is a real waste of a proper talent.

[Buenchico]

A score of 326 n.o. entirely because of the outstanding performance of the batsman ought to impress the England selectors but a score of 326 n.o. obtained partially through the failures of the opposition isn't quite as impressive. KP was dropped 4 times!

[Hopkirk]

I know nothing about cricket, but from what I hear of this man I wouldn't allow him back.

[Graudian]

As much as I enjoyed some of his knocks his
days as an England test player are over.
We have a young and very promising middle order & there is
no place for him.
Strauss, as ever, will be diplomatic but will resist the small public
clamour for KP to return.

[DTCwordfan]

One innings maketh not the international, however if he starts to string a few together, how can they not look at him. A brilliant talent if a little fragile, a good challenge for the man-management skills of Andrew Strauss-Danube.

[thesecondlaw]

No, I don't think he should play for England again, but why tell him he had a chance if he scores runs. The whole episode has become a bit of a circus. England should move on with the batting line-up they have (once they can find a partner for Cook). It's not fair on those in the side at the moment IMO

[Hopkirk]

Did someone tell him he had a chance?

[Graudian]

Give Yorkshire's Adam Lyth a go as Cook's partner. He can't
do worse than the recent lot.

[DTCwordfan]

They could call for Nicola Sturgeon, she can play a deviant bat quite well....

[Hopkirk]

I can't see her agreeing to turn out for England.

[jno]

unfair, Buenchico - not many people pass 300 without giving the odd chance. Nearly 300 in a day, the last two wickets making more than 100 each - if that isn't enough to put you in line for the national team, what is?

It would be an almighty act of bad faith if, having told Pietersen he'd have to join a county and make runs, they then told him to get lost when he's done exactly as asked. Not that the board are any strangers to bad faith, having just sacked their head coach without bothering to tell him.

[jno]

you'd sooner lose than select someone you don't like? Tough call, but you're the captain!

[ichkeria]

I agree 100% with what the op said at 21.27

[Graudian]

Sky news reporting tonight that KP will not be selected for England again.

[Graudian]

Sky news reporting tonight that KP will not be selected for England again.

http://news.sky.com/story/1482133/kevin-pietersen-told-he-will-never-be-selected

[jim360]

Well so long as it's settled one way or another. This ridiculous half-way house is ... well, ridiculous.

[sunny-dave]

As a former Leicestershire member, I'd back a team of wheelie bins to make a decent total against our toothless attack.

KP is (as Mr Strauss has memorably said on air) a complete ladygarden - I'd take the field with that nice Mr Hitler in my team rather than KP.

[Cloverjo]

I'd love to see KP back in the team, but with Strauss possibly in charge it looks unlikely. I know he rubs people up the wrong way, but I much prefer him to the likes of Broad, Anderson and Swann - thank god he's gone. I think they are much more "lady-garden"-like than Pietersen.
KP is a great talent and it would be a shame if we never got to see him playing for England again.

[thesecondlaw]

Agree with Cloverjo on the subject of Swann (I'd add Prior) being perfect ladygardens. Also, on yesterday's events at The Oval, how often has a side scored over 500, with the second-top scorer hitting 36?

[murraymints]

what did he do to be cast out ?