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.

The Bernabeu's in trouble? Don't worry we've got just the man to fix it

As Internazionale last night strode buoyantly up the Santiago Bernabeu steps to collect their first European Cup in 45 years, the glut of television cameras, flashing light bulbs and many of a line from commentators were not transfixed on Javier Zanetti, the club’s admirable long term Captain as he lifted aloft the prestigious trophy from the Madrid presidential suite but instead our television sets waited hand on foot for who else but Jose Mourinho.

This final was not about Inter, it was about one man’s determined, motivated and success laden quest for unforeseen achievements as in true ‘Special one’ fashion he grasped the limelight away from his players when he went on his own mazy run around Real Madrid’s headquarters.


Jose Mourinho waves his last goodbyes to Inter fans, whilst his team celebrate.

Wave’s goodbye, a look suggesting the Portuguese’s tenure at the Italian outfit was over appeared all too obvious to call. Mouriniho then scuppered down the tunnel with his child riding high on his shoulders leaving everyone confused about the pragmatisms of his next move. Could he have been making a quick dash to Florentino Perez’s office to sign contracts to become the new coach of Real Madrid? Indeed, last night’s late press conference in the bowels of the Bernabeu all but confirmed the next port of call for Inter’s treble winning manager. The 47 year old said: “I’m so sad as almost for sure it’s my last game for Inter”. He continued: “If you don’t coach Real Madrid then you always have a gap in your career”.

The challenge of managing and rebuilding a Real Madrid side, dilapidated in a state of disrepair indefinitely would receive full marks on his open resamay.

For Mourinho, though, a man whose meticulous attention to detail and vivid football focus let’s him investigate his players and their personality’s right down to the wire, would he be granted the keys to this wholesale access at the Spanish giants he craves? As is well documented, years of sackings, shirt sale boosting galacticos, trophy less seasons and millions of euro’s thrown down the drain, reflect a difficult task in the offing.

Real Madrid, are a club where success and history goes hand in hand, but to please a vociferous Los Blancos faithful, beautiful, articulate and winning football needs to be played almost immediately as Madrid, unrealistically or not expects the most ingenious football, generating Champions League and La Liga titles season after season. Nevertheless, they have not received this in recent years following Barcelona’s unprecedented march to record breaking accomplishments; however I’m not sure whether Jose Mourinho will be able to instantly hit if off of as Real Madrid coach.


Inter Milan's skipper Javier Zanetti lifts aloft European footballs most prestigious prize, a sight Jose Mourinho's future suitors are desperate to see.

First of all, the football played under his stewardship at Chelsea and Inter was very much underpinned by a workman like, destructive defence, where team prosperity remained key. Secondly, Mourinho, if he became Real boss may not have full control over the football management of the club which would go against his way of working. This coupled with the fact, that time is of the essence and that instant instalments of winning would be needed right from the very first ball at Madrid may make a hothead Mourinho throw in the towel if he is not given the time required by Perez, who has produced a sprawling cemetery of coach filled coffins since his time at the helm.

You would suspect a rigid contract agreement would be shelled out, but I do not think Real Madrid want to be in the position where they delegate majority power to the extrovert ways of the Portuguese.

Negatives there are, but if Jose Mourinho did take charge at Los Blancos he would be inheriting a star studded squad, with more investment likely to be on its way and surely this is the ultimate test of his man management credentials?

Love him or loathe him, it is the Mourinho show. His arrogant, unique, lovable but sometimes untenable style is the stigma for more column inches on a limb. For now his Inter team should bathe in their triumph, but the brains behind this latest San Siro slice of history looks to have more pressing matters at hand.

Resting ahead is England's key to the future

With seven gruelling cricketing months left in 2010, is it any wonder England’s management are contemplating resting players ahead of a defining period for Andy Flowers current side?

The euphoria and headlines of a magnificent Twenty20 World Cup triumph will live long in the memory, but with Bangladesh, the return of Australia and the Pakistani’s addressing English soil this summer the time might have just come to plan and rest ahead before Novembers eagerly awaited Ashes rematch.

England’s first Test squad for this summer’s proceedings will be displayed in front of the nations respected media on Sunday morning, but will it be a squad full of wholesale change particularly with opening tourists Bangladesh still not considered as one of crickets most challenging of examinations.

Twenty20 winning skipper Paul Collingwood and frontline seamer Stuart Broad, are among those tipped to be rested, and rightly so, because with no disrespect to the opposition England are now starting to build a collective team talent, whereby they need to nurture the players whom have asserted vast amounts of effort over the past couple of years, saving them for ‘big’ game scenarios.


Broad (left) and Collingwood (right) could be rested for England's Bangladesh tussle.

It appears difficult to foresee how and why players should receive prolonged breaks. Well, just look at England captain Andrew Strauss, for example, who missed the tour of Bangladesh. These players in question do live a charmed life, but now is the time where a month or two spent refreshing tired minds can really reap the rewards.

I can just imagine the situation now, when an England player finds themselves engrossed in a deadly hot Adelaide Oval, where a dropped or caught catch off Ricky Ponting on naught could be the difference between retaining or losing that little, coveted urn.

Key players are crucial and are talismanic for the team, but a glut of emerging talent is just banging at the door waiting to grab their opportunity. Middlesex quick, Stephen Finn could feature at his county home, Lords, but so could some of England’s Twenty20 starlets like Eoin Morgan whom seems itching to accredit his batting credentials in the longer form of the game.

Resting is sometimes a hidden charm as to the real reason for team change upheaval. Despite, an outstanding Ashes debut hundred, Jonathon Trott has since looked far from assured with the bat but one suspects he will have a fair few more chances to prove his worth this summer following a poor series in his native South Africa.

Forgotten man, Essex batter Ravi Bopara looks primed and ready to grab a Test chance should it be there for the taking, but it looks like the flamboyant hitter still has a point to prove amongst the English selectors yet.

With Collingwood approaching the twilight of his career, a missed Lords season opener is always a tough pill to swallow, but England have to look at the bigger picture. This team has announced themselves on the world stage and the coming eight months could shape the face of English cricket for a generation. It is that important.

England Squad for Two-Test Bangladesh outing: (Possible)
Strauss (c), Cook, Trott (or Carberry), Pietersen, Bell, Collingwood (or Bopara), Prior (wkt), Bresnan, Swann, Anderson, Sidebottom, Finn.

Blood and Thunder awaits in Twenty20 showdown

It has been years in waiting but tonight England, under the stewardship of coach Andy Flower and captain Paul Collingwood could win their first ever ICC event.

A win in Sundays ICC World Twenty20 final against great rivals Australia at the Kensington Oval would deliver England’s first trophy in limited over competitions since it was bought into the cricketing calendar over 35 years ago.

Explosive, consistent and in-form are superlatives that can be used to scatter over the team sheets of both sides ahead of this evening’s titanic tussle. The fluidity and sheer power of Kevin Pietersen with the bat has disregarded opposition proficiently, whilst the baggy greens ‘Mr Cricket’, Michael Hussey, is the main reason why Michael Clarkes outfit have a quick fire chance for Ashes revenge as he hit a stunning knock in the semi-final against Pakistan to overhaul the Aussies from the jaws of defeat to booking a place in the Twenty20 finale in the West Indies.


England and Australia Captains, Collingwood and Clarke, respectively, will go head to head this evening for one of crickets biggest prizes.

In 2004, England were sent packing by the West Indies in the One-Day World Cup Final, but skipper Collingwood who was on the receiving end that day will be determined to inscribe his team’s name in the history books this time round.

The stage is set, the coldrum is burning, and now it is just up to two of crickets most fearsome rivals to battle it out with blood and thunder to lift aloft the prestigious Twenty20 Trophy.

Match Report to follow after the game.

Rivalry set to be relived, as the games great duo prolong tennis eulogy

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will today meet eye to eye in the Madrid Masters final, with it being the first time since last year’s final that these two fearsome competitors have had the chance to renew their rivalry.

A year is a long time in sport, and especially in tennis. You only need to offer a sincere throwback to this time twelve months ago and a thwarted, tired, strained and outwitted Federer seemed lost in transition as his great Spanish adversary Rafael Nadal had battered the Swiss at Roland Garros, forced him to relinquish his treasured SW19 title and reduce the now sixteen time Grand Slam champion to tears in the 2009 Australian Open Final.

But this bumper mayday period for Nadal in 2009 was short lived. A barrage of troublesome knee problems and fitness quandaries gave a confident stricken Federer a glimpse at the keys coated in success, once again. Hard thought and ‘ego’ boosting, Federer took apart Nadal in the 2009 Madrid Masters Final proving his doubters wrong that he could beat the improbable Spaniard on his beloved clay surface. The Swiss superstar exploited, conjectured and wore down Majorcan Nadal as his knee issues seemed to seize up, whilst the ever-green Federer took him to the sword.

A win in the Spanish capital, was then followed by a near remarkable French Open. Frontrunner Rafael Nadal appeared ill at ease with himself as he could only see his unrelenting clay court record and his first ever Roland Garros defeat flash right before his eyes as Swede Robin Soderling’s clinical match play in the fourth round defeated the Spaniard, opening the door to Federer to finally win his first French Open title, completing his set of major wins. And the Swiss did not disappoint as he careered through to the final, beating Soderling, before collapsing to his knees in jubilation after securing his impossible dream.

Rafael Nadal, subsequently missed Wimbledon through injury, meaning he was not able to defend his crown as Federer swept in to claim his sixth London grass court title, surpassing in his wake the watching Pete Sampras as he moved onto fifthteen Grand Slam titles, one more then the great American.

Since then, Federer has with ease grasped a domineering grip on the mens game, whilst Nadal is only now returning to his best. The bustling Spaniard is only one Masters Title away from securing a record haul and in recent weeks he seems to have a re-installed belief and confidence as he knows how crucial the next few months are to proving the doubters wrong and establishing himself as the best on the world stage again.

Today’s final for Federer, serves as the perfect preparation for his Roland Garros defence in the coming weeks and the now father of two, gives the impression he is more than ready to relive his duel with Nadal again, as the Swiss player has a point to prove with many saying Nadal’s absence last year handed Federer two Grand Slam titles on a plate.


Two great foes are ready to lock horns once again.

Harsh criticism, but we will see who can get the upper hand in the Spanish capital this afternoon, which surely is the perfect platform and form remedy for the duo ahead of a critical summer.