Swann: No-one will care about KP in two weeks
Former England spinner Graeme Swann feels Kevin Pietersen has shot himself in the foot by releasing such a sensational book, and has only done his own reputation harm.
Pietersen’s book, released last week, has been the topic of conversation because of its claims that there was a ‘bullying’ culture in the England side, as well as a few character assassinations of fellow players, like Matt Prior.
Swann reckons Pietersen will not be remembered or spoken about in a few weeks’ time, one the fuss dies down, and all that will be left will be a bad taste. Swann also said no-one supported KP’s bullying claims, though several former players have.
Swann told BT Sport: “You can’t say what people will think but I don’t think he has done himself any favours in the long run – but Kev has always been different.
“It is all because someone is trying to sell a book. Honestly, in two weeks’ time when the inevitable amount of interviews are done, no-one will give a monkeys.
“Certain things you have been led to believe didn’t happen. I think the very fact that however many people have been interviewed, no-one is supporting these claims that Kev has come out with.”
Swann also spoke of his own retirement, in the middle of the Ashes tour to Australia, and said that he should have quit before the tour even began as he wasn’t performing well. He also suggested Pietersen should have done the same.
Swann continued: “I said at the time that I don’t think it is right and proper to carry on in a sport when you are a hindrance to the team.
“Some think differently, some think you should carry on regardless but I don’t and I never will.
“In retrospect I shouldn’t have gone on the tour at all. I wish, after the Oval, I had read the signs more.
“I have never been a stats man but the stats seemed to suggest that (Pietersen was on the wane). It might have been a cleaner way of doing things and there would have been a lot less blood-letting.”
Latest
-
News
England Women wrap up 4-1 series victory in New Zealand
Heather Knight top-scored with 35 in England’s chase of 137.
-
England
England will not adopt negative approach after humbling in India – Zak Crawley
England will aim to get ‘Bazball’ back on track this summer against West Indies and Pakistan.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.