Cricket: Warne slams ECB over Pietersen

Australia great Shane Warne has said the ‘ego’ of the ECB forced Pietersen’s retirement.

LONDON: Australia great Shane Warne has said the ‘ego’ of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) forced Kevin Pietersen’s retirement from limited-overs cricket. Pietersen wanted to give up 50-over ODIs while still playing Twenty20 internationals. However, the ECB said Pietersen, who remains a Test match cricketer, could only play in both shortened formats or none at all. Warne, who captained Pietersen at county side Hampshire, said England had damaged themselves. “Any team that hasn’t got Pietersen is significantly weaker,” said Warne. “He’s a match-winner so that’s a big loss. It staggers me and I’m very surprised that the ECB didn’t try and negotiate that better. I think it’s just a bit too much ego from the ECB.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 28^th, 2012.