Downton: I couldn't find one supporter who wanted Kevin to stay in the side
Managing director Paul Downton has expanded on the England and Wales Cricket Board's decision to, effectively, cut ties with batsman Kevin Pietersen.
Managing director Paul Downton has expanded on the England and Wales Cricket Board's decision to, effectively, cut ties with batsman Kevin Pietersen.
England suffered a humiliating five-nil series defeat at the hands of Australia earlier this year, when Pietersen was ostensibly labelled as a disruptive presence among the squad.
Head coach Andy Flower, batting coach Graham Gooch and limited-overs coach Ashley Giles have also departed the ECB.
Lancashire's Peter Moores, meanwhile, has been hired as Flower's successor. Former Sri Lanka coach Paul Farbrace has been named as assistant coach – and Nottinghamshire's Mick Newell has been appointed to the selection panel.
"One of the huge issues after Australia was 'what are we going to do about Kevin?'. I was quite frustrated watching him as a fan, and there was a feeling he wasn't engaged as he should be as a senior player," Downton told </i>BBC Radio 5 Live's Test Match Special</i>.
"I then watched every ball of the Sydney Test live, and I've never seen anyone as disinterested or distracted as Kevin; it looked very strange. I talked to every person on the management team and quite a few senior players.
"I couldn't find one supporter who wanted Kevin to stay in the side. We spent the next three weeks working out what to do in the best interests of English cricket."
The South African-born Pietersen, who recently launched a cricket academy in the United Arab Emirates, is currently captaining the Delhi Daredevils in the seventh edition of the Indian Premier League. The Daredevils, though, have failed to qualify for the play-offs stage of the lucrative Twenty20 contest, in the wake of seven consecutive defeats.
Latest
-
NewsSri Lanka v England Day One: Anderson and Mathews vie for control in Galle
James Anderson returned figures of three for 24.
-
NewsJames Anderson reveals nerves on Test return
The England seamer added to his 600 wickets as Sri Lanka finished day one on 229 for four in Galle.
-
NewsAlex Hales hits blistering Big Bash century
Hales has been in international exile since a second recreational drug test failure on the eve of England’s triumphant World Cup campaign.
-
NewsAngelo Mathews century repels England after James Anderson’s three-wicket burst
The 38-year-old finished with exemplary figures of three for 24 on a surface offering precious little encouragement.
-
NewsShubman Gill learned backfoot game with ‘1500 short balls every day’
Shubman Gill impressed with his technique against short-pitch bowling, and his father has said he honed those skills during practice.
-
NewsSri Lanka steady ship after James Anderson takes three wickets in Galle
The home side reached 155 for three at tea, with England’s record wicket-taker responsible for all three dismissals.
-
NewsCSA confident Australia tour will go ahead
CSA is confident the scheduled Australia tour to the country will take place despite the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in South Africa
-
NewsJames Anderson at the double on day one in Galle
Sri Lanka may have feared a repeat of their dismal 135 all out from last week.
-
NewsBen Stokes and Jofra Archer return to spearhead England’s tour of India
Jos Buttler will return home after the first Test as England seek to keep players fresh, while Ollie Pope will return when fit.
-
NewsWorld Test Championship: Which countries are in the running for Lord’s final
The ICC World Test Championship final is set to be held at Lord’s in June, completing a two-year cycle of the inaugural tournament.