The next chapter in the Kevin Pietersen autobiography is Pietersen and the textgate.

The Textgate. This will go down as Pietersen’s biggest blunder. As news caught on that KP had texted some of his South African friends during the series, Andy Flower, Andrew Strauss and Hugh Morris called him for a meeting. They asked him whether he texted the South Africans. Since, Kevin did not trust them, he said no. Later, that evening, the ECB asked KP to conduct a press briefing that he did not text the South Africans. KP said he would not because he did text them. KP was of the opinion that the ECB knew this and probably were waiting for KP to deny it so that he could be shown his place.

Flower insisted that KP release a press statement but KP again refused. He was suspicious about the long-term gameplan of the trio. Strauss asked him to admit it but all KP could tell him was that he did send messages but nothing controversial except for one where he did not defend the captain.

What happened?

After Pietersen scored 149 in one of the innings, one South African cricketer, sent a message to him on BBM – Blackberry Messenger – congratulating his innings. Earlier that day, when these two were talking while having something to eat, Strauss walked past them and did not even acknowledge them. This somewhat irked the South African who said that Strauss acted like a doos. PIETERSEN says that in South African it meant idiot and nothing close to an unparliamentary word. The English press didn’t think like that and they thought this was a cuss word. This was the jist of the textgate.

The English press hinted that Pietersen had let the South Africans know how to get Strauss out which he insists anyone playing in the second division league will know how to get him out. It is not rocket science. Pietersen is adamant that he would never give away tactical information to the opposition even if they are friends.

Friendship matters

PIETERSEN felt that Strauss and Flower somehow want to get rid of him. If he can release a press statement denying that he texted the South Africans, by discrediting him later, he can be dropped from the team forever. He was dropped for the 3rd Test at Lord’s for indiscipline and insubordination. Both Strauss and Flower did not want PIETERSEN to talk to the South Africans though they were friends. They wanted him to maintain an ambivalence towards them. It irked Pietersen who simply refused to do so. Some of the South Africans were his friends far longer than anyone in the England team.

He gives the example of the camaraderie between him and Steyn. Back in the series in 2012, when England were discussing how to handle Steyn, PIETERSEN goes out and nonchalantly, lofted him over long-off for a 6. Steyn just smiled at him because they were friends by playing in the IPL. Steyn will not smile at others in England because he does not know them. This sort of creates friction in the dressing room and makes the others think that Pietersen is not serious while playing for England. This PIETERSEN insists is nonsense because out in the field, he always wants to win. Friends or not.

The parody Twitter account

Who was running the parody Twitter account? It turns out that it was Richard Bailey, a close friend of Stuart Broad. He must have received all the information from Broad himself. Bailey told this to Alec Stewart who inturn told Pietersen and Hugh Morris. An investigation was never ordered. Broad had earlier told PIETERSEN that he never knew about the account and that he had no part in creating the account. PIETERSEN suspects, he may not have been involved in creating the account but was he involved in the actual tweets? Stuart Broad’s friend creates the parody account, which Broad follows but Broad never discusses with his friend who he thinks is a social network genius? That does not add up. The ECB chose to accept Broad’s denial and Bailey’s apology and ended the investigation without any serious methods to get to the bottom of the truth.

Wrapping up Pietersen and the textgate

PIETERSEN could not understand the double standards. A parody account ridiculing a fellow teammate and what was followed by several team members and by the wider public was treated as nothing more than a nuisance but a harmless text to a friend was seen as diabolical. PIETERSEN’s dislike for Flower reached a crescendo when Flower didn’t allow some of the players to attend a charity event that was arranged by Pietersen to support his friend who was dying from a rare form of cancer. He disliked the English dressing room and would rather be somewhere else than in the dressing room.

Autobiography

https://icricketcritique.com/kevin-pietersen-and-the-meeting/
https://icricketcritique.com/kevin-pietersen-captaincy-and-moores/
https://icricketcritique.com/pietersen-and-his-early-life/
https://icricketcritique.com/pietersen-and-the-ipl/
https://icricketcritique.com/pietersen-and-rahul-dravid/
https://icricketcritique.com/pietersen-and-county-cricket/
https://icricketcritique.com/pietersen-and-the-big-cheese/
https://icricketcritique.com/pietersen-and-controversies/
https://icricketcritique.com/pietersen-and-the-textgate/
https://icricketcritique.com/pietersen-and-his-disillusionment/
https://icricketcritique.com/pietersen-and-confronting-abuse/
https://icricketcritique.com/pietersen-and-the-final-breakdown/
https://icricketcritique.com/pietersen-and-the-final-chapter/

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The role of a cricket captain

Cricket, like any other team sport, requires strong leadership to succeed. The captain of a cricket team is responsible for more than just making on-field decisions. They are the face of the team, the link between the players and the management and the driving force behind the team’s success. In this article, I will dwell on the various roles and responsibilities of a cricket captain. The role of a cricket captain. On-field decision making One of the most crucial roles of a cricket captain is to make tactical decisions on the field. They have to read the pitch, the conditions and the opposition team and make decisions that can swing the game in their team's favour. Once these things are studied, analysed and accounted for, the crucial decision of what to do if the toss is won must be decided. Here the captain can invite free and frank discussion with the team but the ultimate decision rests with the captain. There are so many instances of the captain being vilified for choosing the wrong option after winning the toss. The most famous instance is that of Nasser Hussain opting to bowl at the Brisbane Gabba all those years ago only for Hayden, Langer and Ponting to pummel the English bowlers into submission. Once, the team is on the field, he is all alone. Sure, the captain can always consult with the teammates but the flow of the game will be such that he will be required to take instant decisions based on nothing more than a hunch. The captain has to decide which bowler to use, when to change the field and when to declare or set a target. A good captain can sense the momentum of the game and make decisions that can turn the tide in their team's favour. Team selection: The captain plays a vital role in team selection. They have to identify the strengths and weaknesses of their team and pick the right players to fill the various positions. They have to consider the pitch and the conditions while selecting the team. They also have to factor in the form and fitness of the players before making a decision. A captain who can pick the right team can give their team a significant advantage. Being the captain is a thankless job. Far too many times, they are required to take some tough decisions. That is the reason Ganguly’s and Kohli’s decision of leaving the highest wicket-taker of their sides out of the playing eleven was hard to digest. They were based on sound cricketing logic rather than anything else. Motivation and inspiration: A captain is also responsible for motivating and inspiring their team. They have to instill a sense of belief and confidence in their players, especially during tough times. A good captain can lead by example, displaying a positive attitude and working hard on and off the field. They have to encourage their players to give their best and never give up. Captains lead by example is a phrase often heard in cricketing circles. It is not without reason. Motivated and performing captains often inspire the entire team to achieve greater heights that they may not have otherwise. Media and public relations: A cricket captain is also the face of the team in the media and public. They have to attend press conferences and interviews and handle questions from journalists and fans. They have to present a positive image of the team and communicate the team's goals and objectives. They also have to handle criticism and negativity in a professional manner. Captains can never lose their composure. The media may invent non-existent rivalries or rifts. Captains will have to deal with them calmly. Role model and mentor: Finally, a cricket captain is a role model and mentor for their players. They have to set an example in terms of discipline, work ethic, and team spirit. They have to mentor the younger players and help them grow and develop their skills. They have to create a culture of excellence and teamwork within the team. Far too often, Asian teams, especially Indian teams have this habit of seniors and juniors. The Indian teams of 70s, 80s and 90s were faction driven. Juniors were not treated well and as equal by the seniors. The situation was quite bad until the turn of the millennium. Ganguly changed all that. Now, it is a team of equals. Wrapping up the role of a cricket captain In conclusion, the role of a cricket captain is multifaceted and complex. They have to make tactical decisions on the field, select the right team, motivate and inspire their players, handle media and public relations, and be a role model and mentor for their team. A good captain can make a significant difference to their team's success, and their leadership skills can be the difference between winning and losing.

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