Ashes 2013/14

[taylorsworkrate]

They've sort of dug themselves a bit of a hole with the "planning for the future" spiel.

So 33 is now considered too old for an international batsman according to the ECB. That means Bell has only 2 years left.

[olaftab]

They didn't say that 33 is too old. It's implied but trying to plan the future by fitting in a player who's only  reason for prolonging his England career is to keep his sponsorship deals going is obviously not palatable.

[taylorsworkrate]

They didn't say that 33 is too old. It's implied but trying to plan the future by fitting in a player who's only  reason for prolonging his England career is to keep his sponsorship deals going is obviously not palatable.

In fairness to Pietersen, he could have made a lot more money as a freelance T20 player than as an England international over the last few  years, and his sponsership deals would have probably improved worldwide aswell.

That's not to say he hasn't been a divisive figure at times.

[PaulWinch again]

I just hope it's not a case of he doesn't fit with a couple of senior players, because for all the stories of how he's divisive there are stories from inexperienced players who say he helped them more than anyone. I just hope there isn't a clique and if you don't fit you're out. They certainly need to work how they intergrate new players. Look at Taylor, Compton, Kerrigan they weren't exactly afforded a great opportunity.

[taylorsworkrate]

I agree with you Paul to a certain extent. I've stated before on this thread how players in a team don't necessarily have to get along, and stated the example of Warne/Gilchrist who had pure hatred for each other.

The difference is that they were always part of a successful side, whereas this England side has performed averagely to poorly (India series away excepted) for a couple of years now. Therefore divisions in personality will become more destructive when a team is on the slide.

We don't yet know the full story or the real reasons for his ditching here. I will say though that I thought Pietersen was given the opportunity of returning to the side, that a less talented player wouldn't have been given after the SA texting incident.

[OzVilla]

The SA texting incident should have been the end of his Test career imo.

But having bought in back and 're- integrated' him it's strange to dump him now - the age thing is a total red herring.

Are Randy and Faulkner running the ECB part time as well as the Villa?

[taylorsworkrate]

The SA texting incident should have been the end of his Test career imo.

But having bought in back and 're- integrated' him it's strange to dump him now - the age thing is a total red herring.

Are Randy and Faulkner running the ECB part time as well as the Villa?

In fairness the ECB has never been an especially strong part of the English game. The shameful way it handled the Zimbabwe situation during the 03 World Cup left a pretty huge stain on it's reputation in my eyes.

[OzVilla]

That's right but the last 6 months has seen their incompetence taken to a whole new level.

Handing out 12 month central contracts to players openly thinking about retirement in 3 months, the back to back Ashes series, the pissing in the pitch and attempted cover up, total and utter lack of preparation (AGAIN) for an overseas tour, the Trott fiasco, ECB Chairman making a complete idiot of himself whining about boisterous Australian crowds, subsequent refusal to talk to the media, the Graeme Swann retirement fiasco (you heard it first on The Sun website) , the Andy Flower fiasco - ECB want him to stay he wants to stay so naturally he resigns, losing the series 12-1 (worst record ever), the imminent appointment of Ashley Giles (bit harsh maybe but our ODI and T20 teams look as bad as the Test side). 

[paul_e]

What KP has done wrong is know how good he is, it's always been that simple.

[aj2k77]

Another example of our weakness. Can't deal with a hard character? Back away from it and give him the boot. This is where the top coaches and captains earn some of their corn, integrating difficult match winners into the group. Sometimes when you are dealing with genuine world class talent you can't be so rigid.

Having said that, if he's been an utter twit he needed removing. Will we be told the truth?

I said all along thAt you don't go from being a good team to an utter shambles overnight without there being major trouble and strife behind the scenes. 7 players don't forget how to bat all at the same time. It has been a miserable tour and I'd doubt if anyone wanted to be there after the first month, there was no commeraderie and no fight for each other and a bunch of unhappy individuals got steamrolled by a team enjoying their cricket who couldn't wait for the next days play.

[PaulWinch again]

It's very weak to effectively say we'd rather get rid of one of our best players than try and manage him.

[Chris Smith]

I think the problem with KP is that he gives the impression that he plays for himself and not the side, whether that is fair or not is besides the point, it is how the world perceives him. His career has lurched from one falling out to another and I think they have taken the pragmatic decision to end it now as that sort of distraction is unhealthy in a period of rebuilding.

[PaulWinch again]

Right well moving on now that the decision is made, it's made. So what's really important is that our team philosophy changes and we become a lot more proactive and aggressive rather than reactive and conservative. If England are to be successful in this era we need to dominate teams.

[PaulWinch again]

Looks like Cook was a major influence in KP going. Pressure is now massively on him to perform.

[aj2k77]

Looks like Cook was a major influence in KP going. Pressure is now massively on him to perform.

Am I right in thinking Cook advocated not picking Compton as well on the basis that he scores too slow and puts him under pressure to up the run rate?