Kevin Pietersen’s comments came after his splendid knock of 149 in the second Test © Getty Images
By CricketCountry Staff
London: Aug 8, 2012
Former England spinner Ashley Giles on Wednesday insisted that the controversy revolving around batting mainstay Kevin Pietersen will not disrupt the team.
32-year-old Pietersen surprised the cricket fraternity by saying that the third Test against South Africa at Lord’s could be his last for England, as his role with the current side still remains unclear.
Pietersen has already retired from limited-overs cricket, and wishes to carry on playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Pietersen’s comments came after his splendid knock of 149 in the second Test, which led England’s fightback in the first innings.
Giles said, “I don’t know what particularly is going on in the dressing room or contractually, that’s an employment issue.”
“It’s a difficult time in any player’s career when they decide to perhaps give up Test cricket, it’s a very hard decision to have to make and only Kevin Pietersen can make that,” Giles said.
“He plays a lot of cricket and I can understand why he’s tired but playing Test cricket, for me, was the pinnacle,” he added.
However, Giles insisted that the team will remain focused despite the controversies.
“So far Andrew Strauss and Andy Flower have led this team and this dressing room very well and so I can’t see there being any breaks or splits going into that last Test match,” he was quoted as saying by Liverpool Echo.
“We all know how important it is and I’m sure the team will be very much together.”
