Why do only players with limited ability have to work hard and keep their heads down? If Pietersen had Collingwood's attitude and work ethic imagine how good he could be.

Agreed.

Rather than averaging in the high 50s, he could average in the 60s or even 70s. The mind boggles really.

Another good point.

Yes, that's it. I disagree with you therefore I don't understand the game of cricket at all. Jesus wept.

Averages are all well and good, but they don't tell the whole story. The fact of the matter is that he's currently out of form, complaining about being tired and waffling on in the press about opposition batsmen rather than concentrating on getting his own performances back to scratch. I'm not advocating dropping him permanently, I'm not actually advocating dropping him from the Test side (why do people keep mentioning that, haven't they realised this argument, from me anyway, is based on the ODIs?!) I just think, for his own good and for ours, he should be told "fine, you're tired? Here, have a rest for a bit, we'll pick someone else, you go back home and work on your game for a bit." Then, when it seems like the time is right, bring him back in.

No one's bigger than the team. If he needs to be made an example of to ensure he picks himself up and, as has been said, works hard and becomes as good as he can be... Then surely, in the long run, it's worth it?

You said....

'You can't keep carrying inconsistent players because you reckon they can win a match every now and then out of nothing.'

Cricketing greats with bat and ball are generally judged on stats. Averages are part of these stats. By the very nature of the game of cricket every batsman and every bowler are inconsistent that is why averages are used.

I agree KP's performance in this particular ODI series has been poor by his own high standards. However he has batted 3 times so far this series scoring only 32 runs, should he hit an unbeaten 100 in the last game then his average for the series would then be at least 44.....

Sorry chap but I disagree with you fully.

I don't agree with what Pietersen has said on this tour and agree that he seems to be a bit of a whiner, he clearly has found this tour difficult.

Having said that, England aren't particularly blessed in the ODI arena. Our captain wouldn't even be playing in this ODI series if the ECB had any bolloxx. To drop our best ODI batsman would be criminal for me. There is one game to go and its just like Pietersen to go out and hit 100, similarly he may be out for 10 going for a silly shot but even so he is far too important to the England side.

Apparently in the wacky world of KP, it's ok to ask to go home for 48 hours (so in reality once you factor in flights, time difference etc more like 4 days) in the middle of a tour because you're missing the wife and you're homesick.

Once you get home and have had a week together, it's then ok to fly off to South Africa for a fortnight and leave her again to "challenge yourself".

He really does need to start getting his story straight if he's going to keep whining to the press.

5th and Final ODI tonight

Eng 09/2 (17 overs)

Match reduced to 29 overs.

Pietersen caught out by a ball that was clearly dropped onto the ground by the fielder.

And he knew it.

Can't recall the last time I saw such a blatant piece of out-and-out cheating in a game TBH.

Quite why the umpire didn't refer it is beyond me as well.

WIndies have always been cheats, still never forgiven Bravo for claiming a catch he clearly dropped a couple of years ago.