I'm starting to get concerned that this thing can blow up into another Pietersen vs Moores part 2 controversy, that could see England having a similar issue with KP like what the West Indies had with Chris Gayle recently.
Fact is lets not kid ourselves, KP's complain about the international scheduled is something many cricketers feel - but none have the guts to talk about it. They rather just to suck it up and go through the motions.
The fact that in the below article, Flower made this specific point concerns me:
England news: Andy Flower unmoved on Kevin Pietersen stance | England Cricket News | ESPN Cricinfo
quote said:
The ECB are determined to protect all three formats of the game and part of that is not setting a precedent of allowing players to retire from one-day cricket alone.
Why does the ECB need to have this stance?. Somehow i suspect this need to "protect" all three formats is because, England has not embraced the T20 revolution like some parts of the world.
While i am one of the biggest proponents of keeping all three formats of the game intact - fact is their is serious scheduling problem.
The IPL may be a corrupt, manipulative tournament that highlights the horrible balance of power that the BCCI has on world cricket. But really what are players like KP suppose to do, when at age 32, he see's such a opportunity to make so much money from his profession?
England team need KP in all formats, Flower, England fans and the ECB selectors know this - so all should ease all delusions on the POV.
Flower and co has to negotiate with KP, work out something, instead of being so strong towards useless principle that could cause England to loose KP.
Cause for all the love Flower co may get for reviving England, if KP is become a T20 mercenary and leave the test team because of dressing room tension etc - EVERYONE WILL TURN ON FLOWER!