Published: May 12, 2015, 01:12 PM (IST)
Edited: May 19, 2015, 04:57 PM (IST)
Former England skipper and commentator, Bob Willis has criticised England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for not handling Kevin Pietersen properly and believes the England international has been on a “wild goose chase”. READ: Pietersen to meet ECB director Strauss and CEO Harrison post unbeaten 326
Pietersen had just scored a mammoth unbeaten 326 for Surrey in the County Championship. However, ECB’s new managing director, Andrew Strauss has suggested that he won;t be selected to play for England again despite his strong performance in the championship. READ: Kevin Pietersen’s England comeback dream shattered?
Nevertheless, Pietersen was not so annoyed with the decision, as he said that he had differences with Strauss in the past, but was hopeful of an England return this summer for the Ashes. READ: ECB deny banning Kevin Pietersen, instead suggest he doesn’t ‘fit in’: Reports
With his hopes possibly diminished by Strauss’s statement, Willis had all mercy for the England international. “I don’t often feel sorry for Kevin Pietersen but having been told by the chairman-elect to go and score runs in the County Championship if he wants to get back in the England side, Kevin’s been sent on a wild goose chase,” he told Sky Sports.
“It’s another case of the ECB shooting themselves in the foot. After the appalling way the Peter Moores sacking was handled, that he was the last to know, I think this is another faux pas by the ECB and they need to get their act together. It’s incredible. He’s getting one set of guides from the new chairman of the ECB and clearly the new director of cricket doesn’t want him anywhere near the team,” he added.
“He’s had his problems with Andrew Strauss, but differences have to be put aside when picking an England side. You don’t have to like people you play alongside you have to manage them. But clearly the difference of opinion between Kevin and the people running England are so great it doesn’t look like there is any way back for him, which is a great shame,” he concluded.
