Pitiful Pietersen excuse ends six-year mediocre Hants stay

“Geographically it just doesn’t work- I live in Chelsea” was the curious answer England’s premier batsman Kevin Pietersen gave to journalists when quizzed about his future at county club Hampshire after his only appearance for the Royals this term.

This signalled the beginning of the end for Pietersen as far as his six-year Hampshire tenure goes, with sure enough the South African born player’s agent confirming his exit from the club this week when his current deal expires at the end of the season.

Pietersen’s stark determination to play in London makes his next port of a call a simple choice of two: Middlesex or Surrey. With the batter now settled in Chelsea with a young family, it’s down to who is willing to front up the cash to land the 29 year old whose availability through international commitments will be extremely limited for county cricket. Not since 2005 has Pietersen played a championship match at the Rose Bowl, with Sunday’s rare Twenty20 run-out being his first in Hampshire colours for two years.


Kevin Pietersen (centre) ducks to avoid a vociferous bouncer from Surrey’s Chris Tremlett in possibly what is his last appearance in a Hampshire shirt.

The ECB’s policy of releasing players is one that continues to frustrate county bosses as Hampshire Club Chairman Rod Bransgrove has found out in recent years. He added: "The ECB's policy of releasing players for their counties is quite opaque and I don't understand it."

Pietersen’s reasons for leaving Hampshire though make unpleasant reading for many. The England player’s time at the south coast outfit has not been success ridden and one feels how a quick trip along the M3 can cause wholesale inconvenience, especially as it is usually only once a season at best he has to make the journey to the Rose Bowl. The ego of Pietersen is supported by his star quality but sometimes the arrogance of the man creates a feeling of discontent towards his character.

Despite, a London stay in the offing for Pietersen, a role as a freelance cricketer should not be ruled out for a player worth millions on the Indian market. The flamboyant batter may have been the key figure in England’s successful Twenty20 triumph in the West Indies but it is Pietersen’s next six months or so in Test cricket which could define his status in the world game.

With a current Test Match batting average at just a shade under 50, Pietersen needs to have a big winter down under against Australia to be compared with the mark of consistency incumbent batting greats like Ricky Ponting, Graeme Smith and Sachin Tendulker share.

World Cup 2010 Mini Dissection Thus Far

The World Cup can be a place where dreams are made or dreams are quickly distinguished. Already, we are just under a week into footballs most prestigious prize where a cocktail of decisive moments has tipped back and forth the emotions of millions of people, enthralled in watching their respective and participating thirty-two nations as we know it.

The anguish of intolerable despair whilst watching England’s Robert Green flounder desperately back to his goal line to fish out a weak, impotent Clint Dempsey shot, but only in gut wrenching despair was enough to get anyone off their seat. This, compared to the sizzling left boot of Siphiwe Tshabalala whom fired a thunderbolt to open the hosts South Africa’s campaign lays down the letter of the law over the mixed feelings felt so far.

Music, colour, celebration, national anthems and vuvuzelas have all contributed to the make-up of a rich sporting spectacle, which thus far from a football perspective has not lived up to the billing with first round gitters haunting many opening round matches.

Australian star Tim Cahill saw red in his side’s 4-0 drubbing against a rampant German outfit, whilst one of the tournaments favourites Brazil narrowly squeezed past a resilient North Korea. Current holders Italy looked weary from their triumph four years ago as they drew to Paraguay, whilst Holland produced a resounding double Dutch display to see off the usually tricky test of Scandinavian side Denmark.

Many have chosen Spain as their pick for the coveted prize and with an opening round clash against Switzerland in Durban today boosted with the creative pairing of Xavi and Iniesta, few would not be in favour of them adding to their Euro 2008 win.

In earnest we expectantly watch in the coming weeks where footballing history in some form or the other will be articulated into World Cup dynasty.

Nadal set for another Grass Court adventure

Rafael Nadal’s mesmerising march to his fifth French Open crown on Sunday provided the boldest of memoirs that the special Spaniard is back to his frightening best.

A straight sets thrashing of Swede Robin Soderling in the final must have left a sweet taste in the Majorcans mouth, gaining revenge for his fourth round defeat to the world number six in 2009 ending Nadal’s four year grip on Roland Garros as Roger Federer swooped in to claim the cherished ‘Grand Slam’.

The red dirt of Paris though is a far cry from the new world numbers ones next port of call. Queen’s Club, London awaits for Nadal, who was a winner in 2008 as Wimbledon’s traditional pre tune up serves as the perfect remedy ahead of the heralded grass at SW19.

Fellow countryman and grass court novice, unseeded Marc Lopez is Nadal’s second round opponent today as the 24 year old looks to conjure up the form that saw him pull the curtain down on Roger Federer’s Wimbledon dominance in 2008.