The authorities who run English cricket had shot themselves in the foot over the sudden resignation of the national team’s current captain, Kevin Pietersen. His departure, after only a few months in the post, follows reports of a widely-publicised rift with coach Peter Moores.
They have wasted no time in finding a replacement for Pietersen, but the reality is that the damage has already been done. This was the last thing they needed when there are two very important forthcoming series coming up, the first away to the West Indies, and then at home to rivals Australia in the battle for the Ashes. I bet the players of both teams are very confident at the prospect of playing a disorganised and indisciplined England team.
It was also rumoured that Pieteren may never play in those series. It would be a disaster for England to leave out arguably the country’s best batsman of recent years. With nobody in sight to replace Pietersen’s talent, English cricket is facing yet another unsuccessful year in competition.