ECB shoot themselves in the foot by denying Kevin Pietersen England return

For all his off-field incongruity, there can be no denying that Kevin Pietersen is by far one the best batsmen to have played for England this century. Apart from his numbers — 104 Tests, 8,181 runs, and 23 centuries — which are impressive any way, the manner in which he went about scoring his runs is what makes Pietersen a force to be reckoned with.

The fact that he has seems to be universally disliked by some of his teammates (remember when Andrew Strauss called him a c**t on live TV?) and most of the English and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) made his career with England come to a standstill. Perhaps one of the worst fallouts of the Australian leg of Ashes 2013 was that it signalled the possible end of Pietersen’s international career.

He has not played for England since, and there are slim chances that he ever will again. And yet, Pietersen continues to ask questions of the ECB selectors.

England’s pathetic time at ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 was followed by a lacklustre showing in and against West Indies. Jonathan Trott’s career may have been finished even if he had not retired, while the reputations of the rest of the batsmen did not benefit much.

In the same time, Pietersen scored 170 against Oxford MCC Universities  MCCU, an unbeaten 53 against Glamorgan, and then the crowning jewel: 326 not out against Leicestershire — his highest ever First-Class score. And yet, chances are Pietersen will never play for England again.

According to reports, Strauss met with Pietersen to inform him that his hopes of playing for England again would go unfulfilled. If that is true, ECB have burned down their house to get rid of a rat. They are due to face a powerful New Zealand side later this month, but it is The Ashes 2015 that will truly make or break them.

Given the form Pietersen is in, it will be a shame if he has to turn up for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2015 instead of facing Tim Southee and Trent Boult and boosting a sagging England side. Time will tell how the egos of ECB will affect their team.