Are England better off without Kevin Pietersen?
Posted by Sport.co.uk on: 17 March 2011 - 15:24
Author: Steve McCaskill
Kevin Pietersen’s World Cup campaign came to an abrupt end last week after the South African born England international decided he could no longer continue without the hernia operation that he had initially hoped to delay until after the tournament.
His recent fortunes contrast starkly with his replacement Eoin Morgan, who has emerged as one of England’s key batsmen in the last twelve months while Pietersen has endured a torrid run of form and in a difficult period in and out of the treatment room.
After an equally disastrous 2009, Pietersen began 2010 by winning the man of the series award during England’s successful World Twenty20 campaign. However by the end of the summer, the ECB were so concerned by his poor performances that they dropped him from England’s ODI and Twenty20 squads and arranged for him to play in the final few games of Surrey’s County Championship season.
This represented a new low in Pietersen’s longest period of sustained poor form for England since his debut in 2004 and his reputation as one the most explosive batsmen in world cricket was rapidly fading.
Fortune Faded
Pietersen posted ODI averages of just 18.86 in 2009 and 17 in 2010, but the statistics suggest a much more long-term problem. Since his debut in 2004, England have won 43.75% of their matches with Pietersen in the side compared to 46.15% without him. For a player considered so influential, these figures certainly betray him.
Such evidence may lead many to suggest that England are a better one-day team without Pietersen, but he possesses qualities that statistics cannot quantify and his recent form suggests that the dark days of the summer of 2010 are looking behind him.
While the ECB’s patience isn’t limitless, his past performances have been enough to convince them that England are a better side with Kevin Pietersen and that he is worth persevering with. The statistics may be damning, but they also reflect what has been a difficult few years for him, rather than what he is capable of.
The naturalised Englishman burst onto the scene during the series in South Africa in the winter of 2004, winning the man of the series award after a number of superb performances. He quickly cemented himself as one of England’s most important batsmen and by the summer of 2006, he had equalled the record for scoring the fastest 1,000 runs in ODI history, performing the feat in just 21 innings.
The stats also reflect what an average one-day side England have been in recent times. Indeed, Pietersen was often a shining light in an England team that often flattered to deceive, most notably at the 2007 World Cup where he scored 444 runs.
Rapid Improvement
However not even Kevin Pietersen can be selected solely on reputation, with his performances in the Ashes series, as well as an improved showing in the ODI series with Australia, vindicating the selectors’ trust in him.
Such was the improvement in form, Pietersen was selected to open the batting with Andrew Strauss at the World Cup and the faith placed in him was rewarded with a series of solid scores. He provided the perfect foil for his captain who flourished against the Netherlands and especially against India.
Pietersen’s importance to England was evident as he brought stability and balance to the top order. The impact of his departure has been keenly felt as Matt Prior replaced him as opener, despite the England wicketkeeper failing to impress when he opened the batting in the lead-up to the tournament.
In addition to this injury robbing England of their maverick batsman, it has also taken away the option to use Pietersen as a second spinner or a relief bowler and his much-improved bowling could have been a key weapon in the subcontinent.
Better the devil you know
Sentimental reasons alone are not enough to keep Kevin Pietersen in the side and the selectors made the right decision in dropping him last summer. However they are now reaping the benefits of this decision as Pietersen managed to restore his confidence and rectify his faults.
He may still be an enigma to many who still bemoan his apparent inconsistency and flamboyant style, but he remains one of the most exciting talents in the game and England are a poorer one day side without him.