Kolpak KP
From Tim Smith, United Kingdom As a South African, living in the UK, I do experience friendly banter from time to time from friends and colleagues a like, and that is fine, I mean, just remember the words Springbok, France and 2007
Cricinfo
25-Feb-2013
From Tim Smith, United Kingdom
As a South African, living in the UK, I do experience friendly banter from time to time from friends and colleagues a like, and that is fine, I mean, just remember the words Springbok, France and 2007. But there is one thing I can not stand, and that is the level of abuse I get with regards to Kevin Pietersen. After a while now, his very existence annoys me. I should be proud to have an England captain coming out of my School and Hometown, let alone country. But his arrogance and ability to forget his roots completely angers me.
As a South African, living in the UK, I do experience friendly banter from time to time from friends and colleagues a like, and that is fine, I mean, just remember the words Springbok, France and 2007. But there is one thing I can not stand, and that is the level of abuse I get with regards to Kevin Pietersen. After a while now, his very existence annoys me. I should be proud to have an England captain coming out of my School and Hometown, let alone country. But his arrogance and ability to forget his roots completely angers me.
Yes fine, he was treated unfairly, by an unfair system, and I shared his reasons for leaving South Africa. But his complete neglect to mention how South Africa made him what he is today (obviously not completely, Clive Rice and Hampshire helped a fair bit) is truly angering. How can he be England captain? He is no more than a mercenary, plying his trade in England because he happened to be able to make it here. If he had had a New Zealand passport would he be their captain? This opportunism should not be congratulated in such a way. I can think of many home-grown players, brimming with talent, AND have supported England and been English ALL there lives, for example, Bell or Cook. This is a disgrace.