Australia’s legendary spinner Shane Warne feels the axing of the Pietersen, who played crucial role in helping England salvage a draw in the second Test at Headingley, could trigger a downfall of Poms.
"If KP didn't play second test V SA the score line would read SA 2 ENG 0.. SA ranked number 1 test team in the world, need I say more.. For English cricket to be in this situation after so much good work, there's only one way now for our friendly English buddies," the former Australian spinner said on the micro-blogging website, Twitter.
“Cricket lovers around the world will miss watching KP's serious talent and skill on the international stage. It's just a shame the public miss out on seeing KP play for England,” he added further.
Pietersen, who struck a match-saving 149 at Headingley last week, has been at odds with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) since announcing retirement from limited overs international cricket, in May this year. The Natal-born batsman publically spoke of discrimination prevailing in England’s dressing room, at various occasions.
Last week, the 32-year-old hard hitting batsman hinted at quitting Test cricket after Lord’s Test, during an emotional press conference after the Headingley Test. However, in a bid to end the stand-off with his adopted country and put the things back on right track, KP came out of limited overs cricket over the weekend, making himself available for England selection in all the three formats of game.
But it was not enough to help Pietersen earn a Test call-up, especially after finding himself at the helm of texting scandal. The prolific batsman was overlooked for the series finale, after failing to confirm that he did not send derogatory texts to South African players, according to an ECB statement.
The third and final Test gets underway at Lord’s on Thursday, and a defeat there would deprive the Poms of their World No. 1 Test status, which they had clinched from India, in August last year.
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