Published: May 18, 2015, 03:31 PM (IST)
Edited: May 18, 2015, 03:31 PM (IST)
England pace bowler, Stuart Broad has insisted that he would have no issues sharing the dressing room with the now discarded Kevin Pietersen in case the selectors decide to bring him back. Speaking a day before the start of the two-Test series against New Zealand; speaking at an appearance for England sponsor, Investec. Broad termed the series ‘vital’ in terms of gaining public support and boosting morale ahead of the all important Ashes 2015. Colin Graves: Did not make any promises to Kevin Pietersen
There were reports that many players had informed the new England and Wales Cricket Board director of cricket Andrew Strauss and chief executive Tom Harrison, that they would walk away from the team if Pietersen was recalled into the national side. Broad though denied such allegations, terming them exaggerated. “I’ve genuinely not spoken to anyone above me or to anyone in the team about KP. It doesn’t hurt me or anything, but when people try to put big divides between players and Kevin… I mean, we shared a changing room for eight or nine years. He’s helped me from time to time. We’ve never raised voices at each other. It’s almost perceived to be worse than it is between the players,” he said. Andrew Strauss: Kevin Pietersen’s ‘inflammatory comments’ in his book did not help his case
He was keen to mention that he would not have any problems sharing dressing room with the South African-born batsman again, saying “The biggest point is that players don’t have a choice over who they’re playing with. But anyone in the dressing room who gets given that shirt and cap, you trust, because people above you have the made the decision that they’re the right people to play for England. Down the line, and I don’t know what people are thinking, but if in five years’ time selectors decide KP is this guy they want back in this England side, if people have decided above me that he’s the right person to do that, then of course [he would be prepared to play alongside him].” Kevin Pietersen takes a dig at Andrew Strauss
Pietersen was axed from the side citing ‘trust’ issues by Strauss and now with Broad coming out and being open about no issues with the maverick batsman will start another conversation which the new director of cricket may not enjoy being part of. It also proves that it was the issues may have been there but it were not as bad as they have been made to look. Kevin Pietersen cannot return due to trust issues with ECB: Andrew Strauss
