'I want to be remembered as an entertainer'
Two weeks before he became England's captain, Kevin Pietersen answered readers' questions, ranging from captaincy ambitions to Mark Ramprakash to his wife's music
Interview by Daniel Brigham
17-Sep-2008
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KP, you always impress me with your competitiveness. Where does that come from? Sathnam Mann, via email
From when I was a child. It comes from having four boys in the house. We were all so competitive - at dinner you didn't dare close your eyes during grace because you'd lose one of your sausages. Playing sport, we just wanted to kill each other and we wound each other up all day.
From when I was a child. It comes from having four boys in the house. We were all so competitive - at dinner you didn't dare close your eyes during grace because you'd lose one of your sausages. Playing sport, we just wanted to kill each other and we wound each other up all day.
Why don't nerves cripple you like they do most people? Alex Bowden, Manchester
Nerves are a state of mind. So is stress. I'm nervous waiting to bat - what's the ball doing, how am I going to get out - but once the wicket falls, the nerves disappear straight away. I sit still in the dressing room, although I do go to the toilet a lot - and that's definitely nervous energy. I pretty much watch most of the deliveries before I'm batting to check out the mood of the players, whether they're chirping, where the captain is putting his fielders, that kind of stuff.
Nerves are a state of mind. So is stress. I'm nervous waiting to bat - what's the ball doing, how am I going to get out - but once the wicket falls, the nerves disappear straight away. I sit still in the dressing room, although I do go to the toilet a lot - and that's definitely nervous energy. I pretty much watch most of the deliveries before I'm batting to check out the mood of the players, whether they're chirping, where the captain is putting his fielders, that kind of stuff.
Where would you rate yourself among current batsmen? Jeremy Stone, Brighton
I can't answer that question.
I can't answer that question.
TWC: Okay, how would you like to be remembered as a batsman?
I'd like to be viewed as a batsman who went out to be an entertainer, was successful at what he did, enjoyed what he did, and people liked watching what he did. That's it, I'm not too fussed about where I end up. When I'm walking down the street I want people to look at me and say, 'You played great cricket and we enjoyed the way you played.' I'm not too fussed about averaging 50.234.
I'd like to be viewed as a batsman who went out to be an entertainer, was successful at what he did, enjoyed what he did, and people liked watching what he did. That's it, I'm not too fussed about where I end up. When I'm walking down the street I want people to look at me and say, 'You played great cricket and we enjoyed the way you played.' I'm not too fussed about averaging 50.234.
TWC: But it must be nice to average 50?
Yes, to average 50 is a goal of mine. I try to average 50 every Test match. If I can get more, it will do. If I don't get as many in a Test then I try to make up for it, to level things out in the next Test. I don't set myself goals throughout an innings. All I do is try to get to 10 then relax and aim for a hundred.
Yes, to average 50 is a goal of mine. I try to average 50 every Test match. If I can get more, it will do. If I don't get as many in a Test then I try to make up for it, to level things out in the next Test. I don't set myself goals throughout an innings. All I do is try to get to 10 then relax and aim for a hundred.
Are you a fan of the music of Liberty X (his wife Jessica's band)? Sarah Brushell, Glasgow
I love it. It's wicked music. I love pop music. I spend so much time on the road that any music you can sing to, it's great. Jessica and I sing along to the radio - I'm the best singer in the car!
I love it. It's wicked music. I love pop music. I spend so much time on the road that any music you can sing to, it's great. Jessica and I sing along to the radio - I'm the best singer in the car!
The English media have you pegged as being a selfish player who puts his interests before those of his team. How fair is this assessment? Miss Field, via email
Well, I think that person has just got it totally wrong. The media and the players spend a lot of time with me and they know that's not true. I play to win and I do play to be successful. If I score a hundred and we lose, it doesn't mean that much to me. If I don't score runs and we win, it means a lot to me. People should see how I train and how I encourage people and they'll realise that this question is a load of s***.
Well, I think that person has just got it totally wrong. The media and the players spend a lot of time with me and they know that's not true. I play to win and I do play to be successful. If I score a hundred and we lose, it doesn't mean that much to me. If I don't score runs and we win, it means a lot to me. People should see how I train and how I encourage people and they'll realise that this question is a load of s***.
Why haven't you adopted a comedy English accent, like Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins? King Cricket, Manchester
I talk like I talk. Apparently I'm getting a bit more northern because my missus is northern, so there are certain words I say with a northern accent. I end up mimicking her.
I talk like I talk. Apparently I'm getting a bit more northern because my missus is northern, so there are certain words I say with a northern accent. I end up mimicking her.
| The England set-up were very interested to see how quickly Ramprakash was going to get to 100 hundreds [after he got his 99th]. All of the pressure and media were on him and that's almost the same kind of spotlight you get in international cricket. You have a look at his results since the media descended and it shows the character, doesn't it? | |||
TWC: Do you want to give an example of any of the words you mimic?
Not really! [The PR from Volkswagen suggests 'pie']. Yeah, I say pie with a northern accent. Pie.
Not really! [The PR from Volkswagen suggests 'pie']. Yeah, I say pie with a northern accent. Pie.
Would you make a good Test captain and would you like the job? Colin Campbell, via email
Editor's note: this session was conducted before Pietersen became England captain
People ask me that question all the time and I say for the moment we're captained by someone who's a good mate of mine who I speak to every single day, even when I'm not playing. Michael sometimes says to me, 'When you're captain... ' and I have to say 'Shut up, Michael.' I don't even think about it at the moment, it's not a goal right now.
Editor's note: this session was conducted before Pietersen became England captain
People ask me that question all the time and I say for the moment we're captained by someone who's a good mate of mine who I speak to every single day, even when I'm not playing. Michael sometimes says to me, 'When you're captain... ' and I have to say 'Shut up, Michael.' I don't even think about it at the moment, it's not a goal right now.
You did a tour around schools for Urban Cricket after which you stated your worries about the future of schools cricket. Any plans for a Jamie Oliver-style programme to develop grassroots cricket? Matt Peet, London
Yes, an academy is definitely something I've thought of - like the Beckham football academy. I want to give back to the game and I don't think I want to get into coaching and I don't think commentary is something I want to do. So it's something that I've thought of - I'm not saying a Jamie Oliver-style project, but definitely an academy, whether in England or Dubai or India or Australia, wherever.
Yes, an academy is definitely something I've thought of - like the Beckham football academy. I want to give back to the game and I don't think I want to get into coaching and I don't think commentary is something I want to do. So it's something that I've thought of - I'm not saying a Jamie Oliver-style project, but definitely an academy, whether in England or Dubai or India or Australia, wherever.
Who's the most famous person in your phonebook? Andy Watt, East London
(Long pause.) Jude Law.
(Long pause.) Jude Law.
TWC: Do you enjoy the...
That's the answer to the question. I don't talk about anyone in my phonebook, but I'll answer that question.
That's the answer to the question. I don't talk about anyone in my phonebook, but I'll answer that question.
Does Mark Ramprakash deserve a place in the England team?Tirion Yeoman, Newport
Editor's note: Ramprakash has now got his 100th hundred
It's interesting that Ramprakash scored his 99th first-class hundred in early May and he's still waiting [on July 23]. Since then I've seen him abuse the television camera when he's walked off in a game and there are reports that he's lost the plot big style. People have always said he's had a problem dealing with pressure. The England set-up were very interested to see how quickly he was going to get to 100 hundreds [after he got his 99th]. All of the pressure and media were on him and that's almost the same kind of spotlight you get in international cricket. You have a look at his results since the media descended and it shows the character, doesn't it? I don't know him at all, but it's very interesting to see how people handle the pressure when it's on.
Editor's note: Ramprakash has now got his 100th hundred
It's interesting that Ramprakash scored his 99th first-class hundred in early May and he's still waiting [on July 23]. Since then I've seen him abuse the television camera when he's walked off in a game and there are reports that he's lost the plot big style. People have always said he's had a problem dealing with pressure. The England set-up were very interested to see how quickly he was going to get to 100 hundreds [after he got his 99th]. All of the pressure and media were on him and that's almost the same kind of spotlight you get in international cricket. You have a look at his results since the media descended and it shows the character, doesn't it? I don't know him at all, but it's very interesting to see how people handle the pressure when it's on.
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Come on KP, why do you and Graeme Smith hate each other so much? Jonny Boy, via email
That's past, it's done. I get on really well with him at the moment. I've got nothing against Graeme. There was a lot of hoo-hah in the media when I was over there in 2004. I'm not worried about that, though. Life goes on and there's more to life than worrying about somebody.
That's past, it's done. I get on really well with him at the moment. I've got nothing against Graeme. There was a lot of hoo-hah in the media when I was over there in 2004. I'm not worried about that, though. Life goes on and there's more to life than worrying about somebody.
My son Thomas, aged ten, wants to know what your favourite shot is. Ian Blackburn, via email
My favourite shot is a whip through midwicket.
My favourite shot is a whip through midwicket.
How affiliated to Hampshire do you feel given that you spend most of your time on England duty? Steve Phillips, via email
I don't feel as affiliated to Hampshire as much as I do England. I feel bad about that because I wish I could spend more time there because the lads are so good. When I do play for them I love it and give it my all.
I don't feel as affiliated to Hampshire as much as I do England. I feel bad about that because I wish I could spend more time there because the lads are so good. When I do play for them I love it and give it my all.
How much are you going to work on your bowling? Do you have an ambition for wickets? Wraye, Germany
I'm not really interested. I don't bowl in the nets. I bowl whenever I need to bowl, but I just concentrate on my batting. I started as a spin bowler but I'm pretty terrible - I'd love to face myself. Alastair Cook is even worse than me, though!
I'm not really interested. I don't bowl in the nets. I bowl whenever I need to bowl, but I just concentrate on my batting. I started as a spin bowler but I'm pretty terrible - I'd love to face myself. Alastair Cook is even worse than me, though!
Daniel Brigham is a staff writer with the Wisden Cricketer. This interview was first published in the September 2008 issue of the Wisden Cricketer. Subscribe here