Cricket scores around the world

**Wally Dorian Raffles** · 27-01-2015, 04:14 AM

Pietersen stars in his own muppet show

Kevin Pietersen's rubbishing of many aspiring English county professionals brings to mind the belief of Miss Piggy that "there is no one in the world to compare with moi"
David Hopps
January 26, 2015

As Kevin Pietersen bade farewell to Australia, and gushed with affection towards everybody even vaguely connected with the Big Bash League, tossing imaginary gladioli into the stands like Dame Edna Everage on speed, for the hopeful young professionals of county cricket the love was in short supply.

Their efforts were denigrated in a single sentence, their ambitions dismissed with the same insouciance that he later reserved for his brilliant 86m switch hit against Brad Hogg, the shot of the tournament perhaps, before Pietersen's involvement with Melbourne Stars ended at the semi-final stage.

"All the muppets who are on £18 grand, £15 grand, either you become better or you go and do something else," Pietersen said, as he reflected on the ECB's failure to deliver him a franchise T20 tournament to order. "The best players would play against each other week in week out. That's how you become better."

Not for the first time, it was not as much what he said as the way he said it.

One former county chief executive, clearly incensed by the use of the word "muppet", summed up Pietersen's contribution to England's T20 debate on Twitter with the hashtag #talentedfool. As Australia wondered why England eventually shunned a superficially charming batsman of wondrous talent, Pietersen had given them another little example.

The drip, drip, drip, if not of justification, certainly of explanation.

"All the muppets who are on £18 grand, £15 grand, either you become better or you go and do something else. The best players would play against each other week in week out. That's how you become better"

When it comes to the Muppets, my grouching from afar at Pietersen's insensitive contribution to the debate on the future of T20 in England and Wales clearly comes from the school of Statler and Waldorf, just more grumbles from the wings from an old bloke when everybody else is hoping to enjoy the show.

"All the muppets who are on £18 grand, £15 grand, either you become better or you go and do something else. The best players would play against each other week in
week out. That's how you become better"

And that switch hit against Hogg, well it was something special; no wonder many people look at it and remain disenchanted that Pietersen is no longer playing for England. The shot he got out to wasn't too hot, mind.

I don't have much time for the modern tendency to take offence at the merest slight. Indeed, Pietersen's intention in a conversation with a small group of English journalists was partly driven by a desire to build bridges. But in that one phrase, his conceited rubbishing of his fellow professionals jarred badly: young lads trying to make the grade, harbouring the same ambitions that once caused Pietersen himself to leave South Africa and come to England in search of cricketing opportunity.

He was pretty grateful then to find a professional system full of muppets in which he could develop his skills and take the first steps to international stardom. Without county cricket he might never have made it. He even had a muppet hairstyle to celebrate the fact.

This is the same Pietersen, too, who only in November was so alarmed by the fall in participation levels in English cricket that he volunteered on Twitter to run a few school coaching sessions, imagining himself an inspiration for the masses. It was doubtless a response that briefly came from the heart. But when it comes to coaching, condescension is not a good look.

As he flies back to England, wondering whether the glare through the window is the sun or his own reflected glory, it is instructional to reflect on football for a moment - and, in particular, the respectful response of Jose Mourinho to the shock FA Cup exit of Chelsea - Pietersen's adopted club - at the hands of Bradford City, from League One, on Saturday.

Mourinho is not short of ego, but his even-handed recognition that Bradford - presumably muppets in Pietersen's terminology - deserved praise was perfectly judged. Chelsea, even a severely weakened Chelsea, should be disgusted with themselves, opined Mourinho, but Bradford's performance had a level of personal achievement, team ethic and ambition that at its heart communicated something about the beauty of the game.

This is not to say that ESPNcricinfo has been blind to the need to debate England's T20 future and question whether standards are high enough. We recently spent an entire week doing just that. If the counties are to beat off the clamour for franchises from fans who believe themselves disenfranchised, and look upon the IPL and BBL with envy, they need to win public affection - and quickly. If they fail, change is inevitable.

But Pietersen, by rubbishing not just the structure but also the people who play in it, has once again put himself at odds with an English professional system - lest we forget, the only one of its type in the world - in which communal support and mutual respect are paramount.

He disses the £15-20,000 salaries right at the bottom of the county pay scale in a year when the top 1% of the world's population are about to take control of 50% of its income. There is no doubt which side of that line he sees himself on.

That Pietersen cannot be sure of a contract in the NatWest Blast this summer is clearly ridiculous. The one-game-a-week structure does not suit a player who wants to exist as a T20 specialist and who becomes supremely bored by Championship cricket. The structure might yet make him unaffordable. He has good reason to feel resentful.

But against the muppets of English cricket in 2014 he averaged 22.50 in 12 innings, with a top score of 39 - about half the average he posted in the supposedly superior BBL. As the spotlight falls upon him and the crowds cheer, he might believe, like the muppet diva herself, Miss Piggy, that "there is no one in the world to compare with moi" but the statistics did not exactly back him up.
On this occasion at least, it takes a muppet to know one.

David Hopps is the UK editor of ESPNcricinfo @davidkhopps

Feeds: David Hopps © ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

**Wally Dorian Raffles** · 27-01-2015, 05:17 AM

I don't think the author of that article likes KP very much

**Bruce Bayliss** · 27-01-2015, 12:37 PM

Originally Posted by Headworx

Follow his posts in the sports section

I don't follow you...but I see you claim to be from Pattaya..sorry...nuff said

**Wally Dorian Raffles** · 27-01-2015, 06:26 PM

Originally Posted by Bruce Bayliss

Originally Posted by Headworx

Follow his posts in the sports section

I don't follow you...

What? Really?

but I see you .....

Liar!

**cyrille** · 27-01-2015, 06:55 PM

Originally Posted by Wally Dorian Raffles

I don't think the author of that article likes KP very much

KP in 'bit of a wanker' shocker.

**cyrille** · 27-01-2015, 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by Headworx

Follow his posts in the sports section, which is the only section of a Thailand forum he posts in.

Count your blessings.

Alleging that someone claims to 'be from Pattaya' is pretty much indicative of the garbled drivel he spouts on most other subjects.

**cyrille** · 27-01-2015, 10:15 PM

Michael Clarke at war with Australia selectors, has lost the support of his team-mates and could miss the World Cup.

Michael Clarke, Australia’s injured captain, is said to be at war with the selectors while his team-mates are believed to have moved on without him and now want golden boy Steve Smith to be their captain in all forms of the game.

The startling accusations of major turmoil in the Aussie camp came here on Tuesday when all the mutterings of discontent surrounding the captain were thrown into the open by a report in the respected Sydney Morning Herald.

In a crisis which could be as damaging for Australia as the sacking of Kevin Pietersen proved for England, Clarke could find his path back in time for the World Cup blocked by a hierarchy who have simply had enough of him.

And there could be repercussions for Australia ahead of their defence of the Ashes in England this summer if Clarke is forced out of office because of his ‘broken relationships’ with those in power and, crucially, his own team.

Storm clouds were nowhere to be seen here as the Australian team gathered for their annual orgy of self-congratulation otherwise known as the Allan Border Medal evening, a presentation night celebrating all that is good in their world.

But privately a report by the Herald’s chief sports writer Andrew Webster is acknowledged by those close to the Australian camp as being spot on, with the problems surrounding Clarke having been brewing for months.

It is suggested that Clarke, who has been battling back and hamstring problems, has been on a collision course with his selectors since November when they had planned to leave him out of the Brisbane Test against India.

Those plans, which involved Phillip Hughes being chosen in Clarke’s place, had to be tragically shelved when the young batsman who was on the brink of a recall for his country was fatally felled by a bouncer playing for South Australia against New South Wales at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

In the wake of the terrible accident Clarke earned the respect of the cricketing world for the dignified statesmanship he showed in the face of the death of his 25-year-old friend and a hugely popular figure in Australia.

Yet now two months on from the tragedy Clarke is battling for his cricketing future as he attempts to prove his fitness ahead of the World Cup in time for the deadline of February 21 set by the selectors, the date of their second match.

If all truly was well with the Aussies then they would give their captain far more time to prove his fitness for a tournament that will not really come alive until the quarter-final stages in mid-March. But clearly the selectors want the distraction of their injured leader cleared up sooner rather than later.

The suspicion, clearly, is that the majority of powerful figures are hoping that he fails to come through and they will be able get on with planning for a future without Clarke and under a young captain in Smith in a rich vein of form.

For now George Bailey remains one-day captain and the man who will lead Australia in the World Cup should Clarke be ruled out but Smith is the future and his performances standing in for Clarke against India were exceptional.

Clarke is said to be furious about the deadline and his supporters have let it be known that he expected a much kinder deadline for him to complete his very public return to fitness, which included him lapping the sodden SCG while rain washed out play between Australia and India on Monday.

He has always been a figure who has divided in opinion in Australia and has featured in controversies involving his private life, the ‘homework-gate’ affair in India and his strained relationship with players, notably Shane Watson.

Australia’s thumping of England in the Ashes appeared to have earned him the respect of the majority of the Australian public and the way he coped with the Hughes tragedy was truly admirable.

But a player who has touched greatness may be coming to a turbulent end of his career at the highest level. A scenario that Pietersen for one could empathise with.

Michael Clarke is at war with Australia selectors, has lost his team and could miss the World Cup | Daily Mail Online

**Wally Dorian Raffles** · 28-01-2015, 07:16 AM

Haha, won't the poms be loving this! Our very own version of KP you say?? - Bit harsh. he's a bit more level headed than Kev!

Let's not forget...

The ongoing internal troubles aside, the subject of Clarke's body is another factor for selectors and the board to contend with, given his wretched run with back and hamstring injuries. It was a major reason behind the appointment of Smith as his interim replacement against India, where the other candidate for the position, Brad Haddin, ended up selflessly rallying for the 25-year-old to fast-track a succession plan.

No real shock to be honest. His future as captain was looking pretty bleak because of the above, and his dodgy back always meant his career would be cut short - pretty sure we will see him playing test cricket again though - he is not missed in the ODI side

**Wally Dorian Raffles** · 28-01-2015, 11:44 AM

Steve Smith is showing more loyalty than CA it seems

No Cookies | Fox Sports News, Live Sport, Sports | Fox Sports

**cyrille** · 28-01-2015, 12:07 PM

That all looks like damage limitation to me. Papering over the fact that a significant cadre of the Australian side are sick of the sight of Clarke, and will be now chorusing 'if it ain't broke don't fix it.'

A skilfull touch of diplomacy from Smith - I guess it's not possible for him to be as thick as he looks - but come on, let's be sensible here. Will he be pleased to step aside now for someone so divisive? The KP comparisons are glaring.

**Bruce Bayliss** · 28-01-2015, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by cyrille

Michael Clarke at war with Australia selectors, has lost the support of his team-mates and could miss the World Cup.

The original article came from Andrew Webster who is one of the most respected sports journalists in Sydney. You can guarantee he will be right on the money, he will have impeccable sources. Clarke is a dead man walking...but he will have a job in the Channel Nine box, just who he will replace is the question.

**Bruce Bayliss** · 28-01-2015, 12:56 PM

Originally Posted by cyrille

Alleging that someone claims to 'be from Pattaya

That is where he claims to be from...do you know better? Do you actually know the tosser Cy?

**Bettyboo** · 28-01-2015, 12:59 PM

Convict cricket falling apart at the seams...

Can you spot the connection:

**Wally Dorian Raffles** · 28-01-2015, 01:54 PM

Hardly falling apart Betty - quite the opposite. We are blessed with so many options in all departments even a player like Clarke is not considered an immediate pick if fit. Sounds like Marsh wants him to earn his place back after an extended time away just like everybody else.

**Necron99** · 28-01-2015, 02:55 PM

Clarke should retire from ODI's anyway.
His body has shown it's not up to the rigors of playing both formats.

**Wally Dorian Raffles** · 28-01-2015, 05:06 PM

He is not a natural big hitter of the ball and test cricket suits his natural game far better too

**Necron99** · 28-01-2015, 05:13 PM

There will no doubt be a shtfight.
Can't remember the last Aust Captain who walked out smiling on his own terms.

**Wally Dorian Raffles** · 28-01-2015, 05:35 PM

Yeah. It's good how we don't let them embarrassingly hang around like a bad smell as the poms do. Though, to be fair, it's pretty hard to distinct one bad odor from another in pommy land .... did you know they drink water with poo in it and call it beer??

**reddog** · 28-01-2015, 05:41 PM

Got to give it to Betty, you are the perpetual optimist in hoping that the OZ team will
implode, sorry but not a chance when winners are grinners,Clark may get back for the next whitewash ashes, but the world will not stop turning if he is not fit enough.
As seen with Smith taking over the reins,plenty of talent waiting the wings.

**Wally Dorian Raffles** · 28-01-2015, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by cyrille

The KP comparisons are glaring.

If you say so cyrille

Bet we don't sack him though

**Bettyboo** · 28-01-2015, 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by cyrille

Michael Clarke at war with Australia selectors

Originally Posted by Wally Dorian Raffles

Though, to be fair, it's pretty hard to distinct one bad odor from another in pommy land

???

Even when it's about the Convicts, you are obsessed with us...

**Wally Dorian Raffles** · 28-01-2015, 06:20 PM

It's always about the old enemy Betty. But please understand that here in good ol' Nippon most of my best mates are poms so it is my duty to sledge you - I'm out-numbered over here

Chin up old girl!

**Little Chuchok** · 28-01-2015, 09:36 PM

Originally Posted by Necron99

Clarke should retire from ODI's anyway.
His body has shown it's not up to the rigors of playing both formats.

Pup should retire from the human race....great cricketer, but a big baby.

**Headworx** · 28-01-2015, 10:12 PM

^It would surely be hard for him to walk away from the game at player level. He was part of the team that were shit not so long ago and now that they're a decent squad and playing some good cricket, it would make sense he'd want to ride the wave a bit longer.

Then there's the money of course. I would assume the Captain would be on some serious coin. There was a newspaper article this week about the players getting together for a BBQ at David Warner's house in Sydney that he paid something like 6.5 Million dollars for, these blokes must be pulling down BIG money.

**Wally Dorian Raffles** · 29-01-2015, 05:51 AM

^$6.5mil for a house! Guys who played even a decade ago or so must be jealous - Warner makes a lot in the IPL I think. Anybody know how much??

Thread: Cricket scores around the world

Thread Tools

Display

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

Posting Permissions