**Official** South Africa in England 2012

[theegyptian]

Squad announcement put back to 2.30pm from 9.30am. Suggest that they'd decided to drop KP before his video. Who knows what conclusion they come to now.

 

[grecian]

Squad announcement put back to 2.30pm from 9.30am. Suggest that they'd decided to drop KP before his video. Who knows what conclusion they come to now.

Well, could still be the text thing they have to discuss, if there's any new info on that, ICC may get involved.

 

[LegionOfBrad]

I think it might have happened like this.

KP knows his bluff is going to be called and he's going to be dropped. Back tracks completely with the vid, and now the selectors are going to have to rethink.

edit. Bloody hell had not heard about the texts.

 

[four_or_six]

Had to come out of my olympic-watching to come on here and see what people had to say about the video because I had to stop watching about a minute in because it made me want to vomit.

Does it make clear if everything is discussed and sorted with the team and the ECB, or could it just be he released this off his own back?

Totally bonkers stuff anyway, what a bizarre thing to do / for the ECB to let/want him to do.

 

[grecian]

I think it might have happened like this.

KP knows his bluff is going to be called and he's going to be dropped. Back tracks completely with the vid, and now the selectors are going to have to rethink.

Yeah, obviously that plays a part, but an extra five hours seems to be excessive even for a selectorial team.

 

[LegionOfBrad]

Yeah, obviously that plays a part, but an extra five hours seems to be excessive even for a selectorial team.

You would think so wouldn't you.

 

[LegionOfBrad]

You kind of assume whoever was going to get the call up (Compton or whoever) would already have known so this is a massive ****ing cluster****, and harsh on whoever it is. I have half a feeling that Flower will still ditch KP.

Both the ECB and KP have a lot of apologies to make for bringing this to a head during the biggest series we have had in a while.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Shambles, clearly KP is backtracking as he knows they will call his bluff as they have done with the 20/20 side. Is it enough for him to remain in the side, we find out tomorrow. I can't see him in an England shirt much after this next test anyway as if he is dropped he will walk off in a huff anyway.

 

[grecian]

You kind of assume whoever was going to get the call up (Compton or whoever) would already have known so this is a massive ****ing cluster****, and harsh on whoever it is. I have half a feeling that Flower will still ditch KP.

Both the ECB and KP have a lot of apologies to make for bringing this to a head during the biggest series we have had in a while.

Really? why would they tell anyone before the meeting, honestly people have got to stop now, this is a GOOD thing, the bits before were assinine, by all parties though, admittedly.

 

[LegionOfBrad]

Shambles, clearly KP is backtracking as he knows they will call his bluff as they have done with the 20/20 side. Is it enough for him to remain in the side, we find out tomorrow. I can't see him in an England shirt much after this next test anyway as if he is dropped he will walk off in a huff anyway.

If he's not in the team for the next test his career is over. He'll walk.

While England may have found a decent number 6 in Taylor its hard to also replace a number 4 as well in 2 weeks.

 

[LegionOfBrad]

Really? why would they tell anyone before the meeting, honestly people have got to stop now, this is a GOOD thing, the bits before were assinine, by all parties though, admittedly.

I'm assuming the players find out the squad a long time before its announced. (Hence the KP vid)

 

[theegyptian]

You kind of assume whoever was going to get the call up (Compton or whoever) would already have known so this is a massive ****ing cluster****, and harsh on whoever it is.

Good point. I hadn't even thought of this tbh.

 

[grecian]

Compton has a bad back apparently, and Bopara, is whatever Bopara is doing.

Only one course of action clearly, Trego to the rescue...

 

[four_or_six]

Aggers on twitter...

@Aggerscricket: Cosy in house interview on YouTube...totally irregular means of an ECB contracted cricketer giving news conference. Unprecedented in fact

 

[LegionOfBrad]

So assuming at some point today KP was/is gone:

Who is next on the wagon? I didn't realise Compton was injured. Bairstow got a 100 for the lions but they're not going to go back to him yet, same goes for Morgan whose ship has probably sailed.

BTW what happened to Hildreth, was wildy touted a few years ago but not making Lions teams atm.

 

[NasserFan207]

Reckon they would go with Eoin personally.

But KP is obviously in the squad now.

 

[Pothas]

Ridiculous man but I still think they should accept this position for now at least. If Pietersen sticks to this commitment then the ECB has clearly won and having him back playing in all formats clearly benefits everyone.

Obviously if the whole thing blows up again they will have to say good riddance but honestly think he is worth another chance. Would be very silly to turn around and tell him to **** off at this stage.

 

[amanuensis]

Ridiculous man but I still think they should accept this position for now at least. If Pietersen sticks to this commitment then the ECB has clearly won and having him back playing in all formats clearly benefits everyone.

Obviously if the whole thing blows up again they will have to say good riddance but honestly think he is worth another chance. Would be very silly to turn around and tell him to **** off at this stage.

Those are the key words in my book - I'd really only be looking to retain him on a short term basis.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Ridiculous man but I still think they should accept this position for now at least. If Pietersen sticks to this commitment then the ECB has clearly won and having him back playing in all formats clearly benefits everyone.

Obviously if the whole thing blows up again they will have to say good riddance but honestly think he is worth another chance. Would be very silly to turn around and tell him to **** off at this stage.

Only because it would be a really bad time to introduce a new batsman. We've already got Taylor in there and Strauss being about as much use as a chocolate fireguard. This is the last home Test before we go on one of the hardest tours in Test cricket. If he's mouthing off again come IPL time then that would be a better time to ditch him, albeit there is no ideal time really after we've pissed about with that waste of space Bopara.

Trouble is England are going to need to fill 2/3 batting positions in the next 12 months. I don't see how Strauss can continue much longer, there's still the existing number 6 spot. Hopefully Taylor will work out, along with Compton and Stokes.

 

[Spark]

Bizarre. NFI what should happen now. He'll be picked now for sure, as obvious a 'mea culpa' as you get, but I don't think anyone is under the illusion that this will last.