Tweets of the Week: KP’s 100th Test

Cricket365 20 Nov 2013

England batsman Kevin Pietersen’s colourful career has reached the 100-Test mark, and when he runs out in Brisbane for the first Ashes Test of the return leg, he will join a club of nine England players to pass three figures.

The Twitter crowd took to social media the day before the game to express their appreciation for the often-maligned batsman. KP responded with thanks to nearly all of them.

Former England rugby captain Will Carling wrote: “best of luck and huge congratulations to @KP24 – hope it goes well, am sure your class will shine through :-)”

Former Everton and current New York Red Bull footballer Tim Cahill wrote: “@KP24 congratulations brother #KP100”

Another Toffee, and former England footballer Phil Neville added: “@KP24 well done mate will be watching later 100 caps great achievement-good luck!!!!”

Current cricketers from other countries were also quick to type their good wishes.

New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor said: “Good luck @KP24 in your 100th test. Awesome effort mate. Go well. #KP100 #Ashes”

West Indies big-hitter Chris Gayle wrote: “Good luck in your 100th Test Match… Great achievement! Congrats @KP24 … Bless up Peter! #kp100 #adidas #man”

Sri Lanka legend Mahela Jayawardene, who has 138 Tests to his name, wrote: “@KP24 congratulations on ur 100th test big man!! Have a blast. #Ashes”

South Africa T20 specialist Roelof van der Merwe tweeted: “@KP24 Congrats on your 100th test!!! 100 in your 100th!#allthebest”

India spinner Ravi Ashwin tweeted: “@KP24 Congrats KP.Such a great and proud occasion for a cricketer.Wish you all the best.”

India player Murali Kartik added: “many congratulations kevlar @KP24 on an achievement not seen by many in test cricket.well done on 100mate and many more to come #KP100”

Former players were also on their game, with some England players wishing they too could be playing against the Aussies Down Under.

Former England skipper Paul Collingwood lamented: “@KP24 Congrats mate, wish I was still out in the middle with you #fetch! #tonkanaussie”

Michael Vaughan, skipper during KP’s brilliant 2005 Ashes, wrote: “All the best tomorrow in your 100th Test @KP24 .. #Boom #KP100”

Former wicketkeeper and skipper Alec Stewart said: “Congrats to @KP24 on his 100th Test. Great achievement, great player. Enjoy the occasion, score a Daddy 100 and win!”

Pace bowler and former team-mate Darren Gough tweeted: “@KP24 good luck buddy. Youve come a long way since our 1 st tour. 100 caps”

Former South Africa wicketkeeper Mark Boucher, who had 147 Tests upon retirement, wrote: “@KP24 congrats on 100 bud. Go enjoy it! Good skill!”

KP’s big mate, former Australia spinner Shane Warne said: “Such a sense of excitement and anticipation in Bris. Good luck to both teams, may the best team win.Huge congrats KP on your 100th test too”

Pietersen’s current team mates all took to Twitter at around the same time, oddly enough, but all were sincere in their felicitations.

Wicketkeeper, and fellow former South African, Matt Prior wrote: “Huge congrats to @KP24 for his 100th Test Match tomorrow. Big game for a big game player very glad he’s on my side! #kp100 #gun”

Young batsman Joe Root, still 88 Tests behind KP, said: “Massive congrats to @KP24 going into tomorrow! Awesome achievement! #KP100”

Batsman Ian Bell, the hero of the Ashes earlier in the year, tweeted: “Huge congratulations to @KP24 on a massive achievement! Awesome bud! #KP100”

Fast bowler Stuart Broad, the comic-book villain of the piece, said: “Fitting that this mans 100th Test is such a massive game. Ashes in Oz. Big game player. Congrats @KP24 special achievement!”

Paceman Chris Tremlett, seemingly unsure of KP’s handle, said: “Massive congratulations @KP24???? on his 100th test. Think it’s going to be one to remember …”

Steve Finn, battling Tremlett for a place in the side, joked: “100 tests for @KP24 tomorrow. Big congratulations on a great achievement. That’s a lot of days of cricket. #500warmups”

Middle order batsman Eoin Morgan wrote: “@KP24 mate congrats on your 100th cap. Huge achievement. Delighted for ya.”

All-rounder and Ashes tourist Ben Stokes added: “Canny excited for tomorrow like,all the best to @KP24 hope the debut goes well mate #100tests #decent”

Fast bowler and fellow import Boyd Rankin said: “Congrats to @KP24 on his 100th test cap tomorrow! Great achievement! #kp100 #ashes”