‘Bairstow is as talented as Pieterson’

ANALYSIS

On the face of it, Kevin Pieterson’s omission was a straight forward disciplinary decision – a talented but highly flawed player has been punished for allegedly sending text messages about his team to the opposition.

Nothing can excuse Pieterson’s behaviour.

However, two episodes today  and one when Pieterson made that incredible century suggest that there’s more to this whole affair.

There was, it has been reported, a site set up berating Pieterson by his colleagues, and there were those comments by Tim Bresnan that England may be happier without him.

This is after all a team sport.

Jonny Bairstow is a replacement just as talented as Pieterson.

And there was the muted reaction from the dressing room when Pieterson took apart the South African bowling line up, and raised his bat to acknowledge the crowd’s applause for reaching a century.

Pieterson has been treated differently to the rest of the team because, like Ian Botham before, he is regarded as an asset someone England can not do with out.

Trouble is. that like Botham, he has said and done very stupid  things.

And like Botham, he has got away with them.

Though unlike ‘beefy’ that has also come at a cost of harmony in the dressing room.

England’s pedestrian team have been flattered by their number one spot in the  world rankings – and unfortunately some players believe they are number one.

The proof in the pudding will come this week when they meet South Africa to square the series –  and to of course safeguard that much trumpeted number one position.

And they will of have to do that without that talented but flawed player called Kevin Pieterson.