Pietersen tirade after experiencing winter flights disruption
Kevin Pietersen's return home for Christmas turned sour on the flight back to Australia when his profuse thanks to Emirates turned into anger as they left his luggage behind
ESPNcricinfo staff
29-Dec-2017
Kevin Pietersen is commentating in Australia • Getty Images
Kevin Pietersen's dash back to the UK to spend a happy Christmas with his family turned into a full-scale tirade on the return flight to Australia when Emirates Airlines mislaid his luggage during his connection in Dubai.
Pietersen described himself as "FUMING!!!!!!" as he tweeted to his 3.57m followers:
1. YOU FORGET TO PICK ME UP FOR MY FLIGHT.
— KP (@KP24) December 28, 2017
2. YOU'VE JUST LEFT ALL MY LUGGAGE IN DUBAI.
How do I work on international TV in a few hours with no clothes?
1st Class FULL paying passenger & PLATINUM member. @emirates @EmiratesSupport @Busta569
It was all a far cry from his earlier tweet when he thanked Emirates for waiting for the delayed flight from London.
Emirates responded by giving him a credit card - presumably his own was maxed out with all that Christmas shopping? - so he could buy some clothes to look presentable on screen, ahead of a stint of Big Bash commentary for the game between Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers.
He later praised Emirates' wonderful service, but added that he was "gutted" because the credit card spending limit was reached before he could buy some socks.
And his research might not have been entirely up to scratch as he also complained he could not watch BBL on live TV on the 13-hour flight.
Pietersen, who was part of Channel 9's commentary team for the first three Ashes Tests, plays for the Melbourne Stars in the BBL. He featured in their opening fixture, on December 20, before making a flying visit home over the Christmas period.