LONDON Aug 15 (Reuters) – England batsman Kevin Pietersen
has conceded he needs to control his behaviour following his
demotion from the test team for sending South Africa players
text messages criticising his team mates and staff.
Pietersen was dropped ahead of the third and final test
between the two top-ranked test sides starting at Lord’s on
Thursday. England, trailing 1-0, need to win to stay at number
one.
“I need to rein myself in sometimes. I did send what you
might call provocative texts to my close friends in the SA
team,” Pietersen said in an apology to the England and Wales
Cricket Board (ECB) released on Wednesday.
“The texts were meant as banter between close friends. I
apologise to Straussy (captain Andrew Strauss) and the team for
the inappropriate remarks at the press conference and for the
texts.
“I truly didn’t mean to cause upset or tension particularly
with important games at stake.”
ECB managing director Hugh Morris responded to Pietersen’s
apology in a statement on Wednesday.
“We are in receipt of Kevin’s apology, but further
discussions need to take place to establish whether it is
possible to regain the trust and mutual respect required to
ensure all parties are able to focus on playing cricket.
“Those discussions should take place behind closed doors,
rather than in the media spotlight.”
Pietersen had intimated after the second test, in which he
scored a brilliant 149 to earn the man-of-the-match award, that
he intended to retire altogether from international cricket.
He then issued a statement via a staged YouTube interview
saying he was still committed to playing for England. Pietersen
was dropped on the following day.
(Reporting by Tom Pilcher, Editing by John Mehaffey)
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