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Controversies follow KP, so do his fans

By Gowhar Geelani. Dated: 8/11/2012 11:33:41 PM

Despite the magnetic attraction of London Olympics 2012 — a coveted event — the cricket enthusiasts have enjoyed a delightful fortnight of keenly-fought cricketing contests in the three different continents. India played Sri Lanka and comfortably won the ODI series 4-1 in the host country, Sri Lanka. But even this effort was not enough to take them to the number one position in the ODIs. The Aussies continue to hold the fort. However, India has climbed up the ladder and is currently ranked number two. For the West Indies cricket it was an accomplishment of sorts to seal the test series 2-0 after their comfortable wins against the Kiwis in the ODI and T20 series. These victories could be a stepping stone for the revival of the Caribbean style cricket, which was once renowned for its confidence, flair and dominance. And in England, the Proteas continue to dominate and look favourites to confirm their number one test ranking. All they need now is to either manage a win or a draw at the Lord’s in the final test of the three match series.
In all this, Kevin Pietersen’s serious differences with the English and Wales Cricket Board [ECB] members and the management continue to grab the headlines. No matter how big-mouthed the ECB members and even some members of the national team might sound at the moment and make tall claims that KP’s exit would not “dent the team spirit” or “harm the team balance”, the fact remains that the English cricket will be orphaned sans Pietersen! Kapes is a real star, a gem of a cricketer! His absence on the field will surprise his fans across the globe; in general, and shock his die-hard fans; in particular.
Kapes while speaking on the BBC’s Test Match Special said that he can’t give any assurances. “I love playing Test cricket for England. But there are obstacles in the way,” he remarked. “May be it [the Lord’s test] will be my last,” he added. “We will talk after the next Test. Anything is possible.”
Acknowledging KP’s value and worth, Mike Selvey writes in the Guardian: “If things map out as it appears they will, then by the end of the final test at Lord’s on Monday week Kevin Pietersen will be a former England cricketer, and the England teams will no longer be able to call upon a batsman of astounding ability. When he made 149 runs at Headingley on Saturday, he did not “answer his critics” in that hackneyed phrase, because no one was ever asking any questions.” Had he not launched a counter attack at Headingley and played that cracker of a knock (149), England would, most certainly, have by now lost the number one test ranking to South Africa. Thanks to his attacking innings, the English are still the number one ranked test side.
Unfortunately, controversies have always followed this South African-born player like his shadow. Controversies follow him closely like his fans do. Whether he is tweeting on Twitter, playing in the field or negotiating his terms of contract with the ECB behind closed doors, controversies are a permanent companion in open; almost everywhere!
Earlier, in January 2009, Pietersen also lost his captaincy after he developed a serious rift with the then coach Peter Moores. Both these gentlemen lost their positions. In his autobiography, the wily English off-spinners and the member of the current squad, Grame Swann has also questioned the leadership qualities of Kevin Pietersen. So it is obvious that the divergence is not only limited to the members of the ECB. The environment in the dug out is not favourable either. True, no individual cricketer should become more important than the team or the game itself, but one must also make some sincere efforts to understand Pietersen predicament.
Let’s understand what his demands are. He wants to play only in the tests and the shortest version of cricket, the T20s, to prolong his international career. The star cricketer has also confirmed that he desires to play more IPL cricket, and spend more time with his family. But the ECB contract regulations are clear on this issue. Only those players who feature in the one day cricket can be considered for selection in the T20s. That means a player has to be available for both the formats. There is no “pick and choose” option. But if the BCCI invents options for Sachin Tendulkar, why can’t the ECB do the same for Kevin Pietersen? May be they don't want to set a precedent.
It is high time, as already suggested by Ian Botham in his article on the ‘Daily Mirror’, to sort out the disputed matters peacefully away from the media mikes. If the differences aren’t sorted out soon, the enthusiasts will surely miss a genuine game changer in KP. He averages 42 in the ODIs with nine tons. A player of KP’s panache with over 7,000 runs in test cricket in 88 matches—which include 21 centuries with nine scores above 150—at an average of 50 is undoubtedly an asset to the world cricket and English team.
Didn't we see how much did the West Indies cricket suffer in absence of Chris Gayle when their adamant coach, Ottis Gibson, and some members of the West Indies Cricket Board, WICB, put their ugly egos ahead of the welfare of country’s cricket? As soon as the issues were sorted out amicably, the world felt the difference that Gayle’s inclusion has made to the side since his return to the international cricket.
It would be naive on part of the ECB members and team players like the wicket-keeper batsman, Matt Prior, and their skipper, Andrew Strauss, to even suggest that KP’s absence would not matter to the English team. Actually in their denial lies this confession that Pietersen is a class apart, a cut above the rest! On a personal note, I will miss Kapes if he decides to retire from the international cricket. And I’m sure; he will be missed by tens of thousands of his fans, too! Better, the acrimony ended and the common sense prevailed!
[The columnist is a professional journalist with international experience. He can be reached at gowhargeelani@gmail.com]