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[ppccopener]

ECB Chairman Colin Graves comments on the week
15 May 2015
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I would like to start my stewardship of the ECB looking forward to next week’s Investec Test series against New Zealand and the Ashes later in the summer.

But first there’s another point I want to address.

Clearly, the question of whether Kevin Pietersen will play for England again has been a debate for media and cricket fans alike.

I understand why people feel it’s important. So I’ll tell you what I said to the First Class County Chairmen, at yesterday’s AGM, and our people across the ECB this morning, on my first full day as Chairman.

In the past few days my integrity has been called into question, something I can’t accept. Throughout my business career and my years at Yorkshire, integrity has been my watchword. It governs everything I do and is an important part of what I bring to the ECB.

So it saddens me that what was a private conversation with Kevin in March has been used to do just that.

Back then, when we talked on the phone, Kevin asked if I thought his England career had ended in the right manner following the last Ashes series in Australia. I agreed that nobody particularly emerged with much credit from the whole episode, particularly given his achievements for England.

Kevin felt he had a lot to offer and was interested in a dialogue with the ECB, sorting things out and working together. He would love to play for England again but he wanted to contribute, whether as a player or not.

I didn’t make any promises. There were no guarantees that if he chose to exit his IPL contract, play County cricket and score runs he would be selected for England.  And I said he should make any decision on his future on that basis.

I can see something has been misunderstood around the conversation and in the following  debate - and perhaps how that happened.

What I did stress was that when I took over as chairman I would back those people whose job it was to take decisions on team selection. I stand by that.

Ahead of a big, busy summer of cricket, a clear decision needed to be taken. Given the history and the book, the simple fact is that bridges have still not been rebuilt and trust needs to be restored.

That takes time - as Andrew Strauss made clear this week.

Kevin was told on Monday and I completely support the decision that was taken.  He may not have liked what he heard but it allowed him to look at his opportunities.

Despite everything, he can work with us to re-build the relationship and make a further contribution to English cricket. It was important he knew where he stood.

Of course, I would like us to move forward and concentrate on the important matter of winning cricket matches. I don’t want to add any more or go deeper into private conversations.

I want to look to the future. I’m excited by the England team that is evolving and I look forward to giving them my full support this week.

Thanks for posting...surely everyone who reads this is thinking there's a massive mis-understanding in a phone call between 2 people,Pieterson has used bits of information and run in the wrong direction(one that suits him) or there's some huge pork pies being told?

[uknsaunders]

If KP was on his game, he would of recorded the phone call. Press really would have a field day then.

[ppccopener]

yes but the texts to his SA mates slagging off Strauss cant be found there's no chance recording a phone call

he's prob got an I Phone..and I'm damned if I know how it works

slide the screen to answer and that's about it!!

[ProCricketer1982]

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek programme in early March, Graves refused to rule out a recall for Pietersen but said selectors and coaches would make any final decision.
Graves later told the Telegraph that the selectors "can't ignore" Pietersen if he "scores a lot of runs" for a county side.
"Forget personalities," he added. "Selectors pick the best players in form, taking wickets and scoring runs. That is their job."

Obviously not and it's right your integrity get's called into question when the selectors clearly aren't picking on form, that's your promise in March.

So on the one hand saying the selectors will pick on form only.  Now turns around and says you can pick on other factors... U turn or what.. Simply showing yourselves up again ECB.

[procricket]

Can't wait till this turns to chippy wrapper getting boring

[jamielsn15]

Agree, not the way to go when your previous comments were reported.

The ECB need to say they're not going to comment any further on anything related to KP and that they are focusing on winning two series this summer.  If they choose to select him in the future, fine, but just do it.

It's been a PR disaster - they need to stop making it worse.

[ppccopener]

you would suspect there are a lot of newspaper journos and the vast internet media checking back thru to find those quotes...

I'm sure this still has a fair way to run.

Dunno what the forum record is for pages but we might go close...

Thinking about it was probably Tailsman and his Ponzi schemes and willow 'made for/touched' by Marcus Trescothick

[ProCricketer1982]

Can't wait till this turns to chippy wrapper getting boring

Can't see it going away Dave, error after error from the ECB.

So @jamielsn15 you propose simply letting them off the hook? They've lied, been economical with the truth. I don't care less if KP plays or not, I do care that the ECB is incompetent and the same old same old people get put in charge with zero reprocussions if some people just go 'oh well, move on'

[iand123]

Why hasn't Graves come out before now and reset expectations? KP has been banging on about this since Graves's comments (and way before) that he wanted to play for England again and the steps he thought he had to take. He talks about integrity but (at least to me) he hasn't come out of this very well at all.

Whoever works in PR at the ECB needs shooting, they are a mess and an embarrassment as an organisation and governing body of a professional sport at a country level. The only organisation in sport i can think that is worse is FIFA

[procricket]

Nothing further to say some comment comments made by you two above this post.

As a member of HM Forces you right about team cohesion and trust.

Two things let's face facts and leave it.

1.Ecb have failed as a organisation and need to sort it out quick
2.KP is about KP he is a tit.

Win the ashes this will seem like nothing.

More players I have talked to think like Dominic Cork "bad egg"

[procricket]

Dominic Cork just went up in my estimations great speech.

[procricket]

Can't see it going away Dave, error after error from the ECB.

So @jamielsn15 you propose simply letting them off the hook? They've lied, been economical with the truth. I don't care less if KP plays or not, I do care that the ECB is incompetent and the same old same old people get put in charge with zero reprocussions if some people just go 'oh well, move on'

Your right they should of (No Swearing Please) the tit of much earlier and shut the door much earlier

[ProCricketer1982]

This is why I'm not bying into 'cricket is different as they tour so need to get on'.. I, probably like you have spent many a tour (months living innthepocket of others) you simply don't trust, dislike or generally don't get on with. You do it though as it's the job.

That's why regardless of personality, it should be your cricket ability not personality hat gets you selected or not

[Rob580]

Why is everone complaining about the ECB on here, if it concerns you that much (and some of you, it clearly does) why don't you email them, Tweet them, write them a letter, send them a note on a pigeon or whatever takes your fancy.

It's getting nothing done complaining about it on here and trying to start an argument over differing opinions.

And to be honest i agree with Dave, it's getting tiresome, they've made their decision and no matter how much you bitch and moan about it, it's done. I can't see Andrew Strauss or Colin Graves taking any notice over a few keyboard warriors with nothing better to do. KP is a tit and they've had enough of him.

GET OVER IT! 

[iand123]

Why is everone complaining about the ECB on here, if it concerns you that much (and some of you, it clearly does) why don't you email them, Tweet them, write them a letter, send them a note on a pigeon or whatever takes your fancy.

It's getting nothing done complaining about it on here and trying to start an argument over differing opinions.

And to be honest i agree with Dave, it's getting tiresome, they've made their decision and no matter how much you bitch and moan about it, it's done. I can't see Andrew Strauss or Colin Graves taking any notice over a few keyboard warriors with nothing better to do. KP is a tit and they've had enough of him.

GET OVER IT!

I'm not sure you've understood the point of a forum there mate