London: English batsman Kevin Pietersen has been dropped from team’s squad for the third Test against South Africa following reports he sent text messages to several South Africa players during the second Test that contained ‘derogatory’ comments about England’s captain Andrew Strauss and coach Andy Flower.
After the second Test, Pietersen suggested that he might walk away from cricket at the end of the current series owing to some ‘problems in the England squad’.
But on Saturday night he appeared to have a change of heart when he posted a video on YouTube in which he agreed to make himself available again for his adopted country in all formats after recently opting out of one-day action.
However, English selectors remained furious about the SMSs, and Pietersen’s international career now looks in tatters, AFP reported.
Hugh Morris, the Managing Director of England Cricket, said: “During the past week we have held several discussions with Kevin Pietersen and his advisors.
“The success of the England team has been built on a unity of purpose and trust. Whilst we have made every attempt to find a solution to enable Kevin to be selected we have sadly had to conclude that, in the best interest of the team, he will miss the Lord’s Test.”
Geoff Miller, a member of the England selection panel, underlined that feeling when he said: “We need a squad fully focussed on this Test match to be able to play the sort of cricket we know is necessary if we are to win this week and level the series.
“The second Test was a marked improvement on our performance at the start of the series but we are aware we will need to play some very good cricket this week if we are to level this series.”
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