England players clueless about Kevin Pietersen’s future

England wicket-keeper Matt Prior (L) lavished praise on batsman Kevin Pietersen’s century and called him a special talent © Getty Images

By CricketCountry Staff

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London: Aug 6, 2012

 

England wicket-keeper Matt Prior has described star batsman Kevin Pietersen as a “special talent” and urged him to retain the national contract which will be offered next month.

 

Prior said England players are doubtful about Pietersen’s future before lavishing praise on the latter as he scored a brilliant 149 runs against South Africa to rescue England in the ongoing second Test.

 

Prior said, “Kev will do what he wants. You watch a bloke bat like that and you want him in your team, of course you do.

 

“But the special thing about this England team is that it is a team — no single person has done more than anyone else. To have 11 blokes pulling in the same direction is a powerful thing.

 

“That is not me saying Kevin has not been part of the 11 — he’s been a big part.

 

“What I am saying is that he would be a huge and sad loss but the important thing for this team is that, whoever takes his place, all 11 of us pull in the same direction.”

 

Describing Pietersen as a “special talent”, the wicket-keeper said any team would like to possess a player who can destroy a lethal bowling attack the way Pietersen did.

 

He was quoted by The Sun as saying, “KP is a special talent and it is fantastic to have someone who can play an innings like that. He made Dale Steyn, the best bowler in the world, look like a regular bowler. The shots he was playing were incredible.

 

“It’s a very interesting talking point but I don’t have a clue what Kev is going to do. All I can say is he is a freak, an unbelievable batter.

 

“My God, you want him in your team. And I’m sure South Africa would want him in their team.”