 | SMS controversy: Kevin Pietersen dropped from England squad
13 August 2012
|
| 
London: English batsman Kevin Pietersen has been dropped from team’s squad for the third Test against South Africa following reports he sent text messages to several South Africa players during the second Test that contained ‘derogatory’ comments about England’s captain Andrew Strauss and coach Andy Flower.
After the second Test, Pietersen suggested that he might walk away from cricket at the end of the current series owing to some ‘problems in the England squad’.
But on Saturday night he appeared to have a change of heart when he posted a video on YouTube in which he agreed to make himself available again for his adopted country in all formats after recently opting out of one-day action.
However, English selectors remained furious about the SMSs, and Pietersen’s international career now looks in tatters, AFP reported.
Hugh Morris, the Managing Director of England Cricket, said: “During the past week we have held several discussions with Kevin Pietersen and his advisors.
“The success of the England team has been built on a unity of purpose and trust. Whilst we have made every attempt to find a solution to enable Kevin to be selected we have sadly had to conclude that, in the best interest of the team, he will miss the Lord’s Test.”
Geoff Miller, a member of the England selection panel, underlined that feeling when he said: “We need a squad fully focussed on this Test match to be able to play the sort of cricket we know is necessary if we are to win this week and level the series.
“The second Test was a marked improvement on our performance at the start of the series but we are aware we will need to play some very good cricket this week if we are to level this series.” | | See Also in Sports News
|
|  Liverpool manager’s son found not guilty
25 May 2013
LONDON: Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers voiced his family’s relief after his footballer son Anton was cleared Friday in a sex case at England’s central criminal court.
Anton Rodgers, 20, and three Brighton team-mates were found not guilty of sexual assault and voyeurism.
The retrial, at the Old Bailey in London, followed an earlier trial in which a jury could not agree verdicts.
Brendan Rodgers said: “The last 18 months have been extremely traumatic for us as a family, but we are ... Full Story |  Chaotic end as Giro hit by snow, doping positive
25 May 2013
VAL MARTELLO, Italy: The 96th edition of the Giro d’Italia is facing a chaotic finale as wintry weather in the Dolomites forced the cancellation of Friday’s stage and changes to Saturday’s final day in the high mountains.
Despite the white-out, it proved something of a black Friday for organisers who woke to the news that 2007 race winner Danilo Di Luca was out of the race after reportedly testing positive for the banned blood booster EPO (erythrpoietin).
Amid unseasonably cold conditions ... Full Story |  Champions League: Bayern, Dortmund eye glory in historic final
25 May 2013
LONDON: The home of English football will reverberate to the roar of German voices tonight when Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund collide at Wembley Stadium in the first all-Bundesliga final in Champions League history.
It is only two years since Barcelona confirmed their status as Europe’s pre-eminent side by outclassing Manchester United in the same arena to win the 2011 tournament, but the way that Bayern and Dortmund have torn through this season’s competition suggests a new continental ... Full Story | |
|
|
|
