As a South African, living in the UK, I do experience friendly banter from time to time from friends and colleagues a like, and that is fine, I mean, just remember the words Springbok, France and 2007. But there is one thing I can not stand, and that is the level of abuse I get with regards to Kevin Pietersen. After a while now, his very existence annoys me. I should be proud to have an England captain coming out of my School and Hometown, let alone country. But his arrogance and ability to forget his roots completely angers me.
Yes fine, he was treated unfairly, by an unfair system, and I shared his reasons for leaving South Africa. But his complete neglect to mention how South Africa made him what he is today (obviously not completely, Clive Rice and Hampshire helped a fair bit) is truly angering. How can he be England captain? He is no more than a mercenary, plying his trade in England because he happened to be able to make it here. If he had had a New Zealand passport would he be their captain? This opportunism should not be congratulated in such a way. I can think of many home-grown players, brimming with talent, AND have supported England and been English ALL there lives, for example, Bell or Cook. This is a disgrace.
isn't it about time the entire england team was made up of BRITISH-born players instead of these rejects from everywhere else? if pietersen was british, he wouldn't receive half as much praise as he gets now, it was the same with nasser hussain, only his batting was mediocre at best. it would make a nice change to have a british wicketkeeper - what must james foster & chris read think they have done to deserve the disgraceful treatment they have received from the ECB? in the meantime we've had geraint jones(from papua new guinea) - ok they don't play test cricket, matt prior(from south africa), and tim ambrose(from australia), not to mention gallian(australian), caddick(new zealander), afzaal(pakistani), shah(pakistani), hick(rhodesian), strauss(south african). i would sooner see someone like mark butcher or chris adams captaining the side, at least you knew where you stood with them. there should be rules put in place banning the use of players born in other test playing countries
Posted by: Daniel Ashford at August 12, 2008 7:59 AM
they complete their 4 year qualification and if they are good enough they get selected, same as any other country, its just that English cricket is so backwards they keep picking the mercenaries or "qualifiers".
And in response to the question would KP be the New Zealand captain if he hadve chosen to ply his trade there instead? Damn right he would, who else have they got (no offence to Vettori), New Zealand cricketers would hang, draw and quarter Stephen Fleming in public if they could get the chance to have a captain and middle order batsman averaging 50 in Tests and 40 in ODIs. EVER
Posted by: Big Al C at August 12, 2008 10:41 AM
Clive Rice and Nottinghamshire helped, not Hampshire. KP showed his selfish side by moving to Hampshire, for whom he has hardly played. Notts made this player, and he turned his back on them. Great talent, but too much of an ego. His dismissal when on 94 cost England that match. As usual his ego wanted him to reach 100 in style, but he just ended up holing out to a poor shot.
Posted by: luke at August 31, 2008 5:02 PM
KP wasn't treated that unfairly and the system was as fair as could be...all things considered. Lucky for some that they have had the means to leave when they "are" unfairly treated.
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