KEVIN Pietersen’s autobiography has, predictably, divided opinion – as the superstar batsman did throughout his international career.
Here, Northern Echo Sport picks out the best reaction:
MATT PRIOR: “After this morning, I’m looking forward to reading the full kp book.
“Might bully my kids into getting it for me for Xmas!!
“Obvs sad to see the accusations against me this am and I WILL have my right of reply! However today is not the day and Twitter is not the place for it!’’
MICHAEL VAUGHAN: Find all the fall out in English Cricket very very sad...Many to blame but mostly it’s been a lack of communication and Man Management....
Won’t play for England again.
So I will remember @KP24 for what he was. A maverick who could play innings that no other England player could!
DOMINIC CORK: “Do I think Kevin Pietersen was personally bullied? No, and the reason is because I have been so close to him.
“Did he look the sort of person who looked like he was lost and in a bad place? No.
“He was the person who had his own seat on the bus, and no one else could sit on that seat because that was Kevin’s seat.
He wants to put out this story because he feels the way he was treated was unjust.
“Andy Flower took England to number one in the world so he did something right. There was a clash of personalities, they didn’t get on, so this is about getting back at Flower.
“Just remember, Kevin Pietersen, during his time here in England, has left a trail of destruction wherever he has been.”
MIKE GATTING: “I’m sure for the first couple of weeks there will be lots of ‘he said, she said’ and all that ... I’m sure we’ll all listen and have a wry smile, because there’s always two sides to the coin. The book is a bit of history. We’ve all done a bit in our past, but that’s history. We’ve got to look forward.’’
MARK BUTCHER: Good day for a spot of reading. Something with juicy conspiracies & misguided characters... James Ellroy it is then.
NASSER HUSSAIN: “It really tells you a lot about team spirit ... always there when you’re winning but always fades away when you’re losing.
“A lot of the stuff I’ve read (from Kevin) this afternoon, I’ve nodded at and agreed with ... about shouting at players in the outfield.
“I always found that a little bit odd.
“Team spirit is about respect ... what happened in the end was that the respect had gone, between Kevin and his teammates.
“Some of them didn’t respect him, and he certainly didn’t respect some of them.
“Once you lose that respect, and then start losing games of cricket, I’m afraid the wheels can only come off.
“It’s a fine line between banter and bullying.
“Everyone has to have a good look at themselves. I’m sure at times Kevin himself ... some of the players will say he was a bit harsh with others. It works two ways.
“Some of the stuff he writes in this book, I can’t see any way back for him – and that’s probably one of the things he will feel most disappointed about this year. The best way to answer his critics, and pile the pressure on Cook and the ECB was to go out there and smash hundreds for Surrey ... he never did that, and is letting his book do the talking instead of his batting.”
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