Kevin Pietersen: Explained (sort of)

The ECB have gone some way to explain their reasoning behind KP's unexpected dismissal. 

From the little bites of information they have fed the public with, many are drawing their own conclusions - most leading back to captain Alastair Cook. 

Fans have been in uproar over the past week as the ECB had left almost all questions surround Pietersen's departure unanswered. They had done, until last night. 

The ECB put out the following statement:

"It has been a matter of great frustration that until now the England and Wales Cricket Board has been unable to respond to the unwarranted and unpleasant criticism of England players and the ECB itself, which has provided an unwelcome backdrop to the recent negotiations to release Kevin Pietersen from his central contract. 

Those negotiations have been successfully concluded and whilst both parties remain bound by confidentiality provisions the ECB would like to make the following comments; The ECB recognises the significant contribution Kevin has made to England teams over the last decade. He has played some of the finest innings ever produced by an England batsman. 

However, the England team needs to rebuild after the whitewash in Australia. To do that we must invest in our captain Alaistair Cook and we must support him in creating a culture in which can be confident he will have the full support of all players, with everyone pulling in the same direction and able to trust each other.

It is for those reasons that we have decided to move on without Kevin Pietersen."

Dodging directly saying anything, for reasons earlier in the week said to be "legal" ones, the governing body have basically hinted at Pietersen's past transgressions being a ruling factor, with captain Cook's inability to trust him ultimately leading to his dismissal. 

Pietersen will no doubt cloud England's immediately future, especially if England continue to underperform. 

But what I'm more interested in is Pietersen's next move. He has now become a very lucrative commodity, set to make millions playing in the T20 form of the game. I am crossing my fingers for Pietersen to bat his heart out over the next year and show England just what they gave up just because they felt they were unable to put a stopper in the whirlwind that is Kevin Pietersen.

Ball on Willow.