Explosive West Indian opening batsman Chris Gayle has lashed out at the ECB for the manner in which Kevin Pietersen was sacked from the England team, labelling KP’s expulsion as ‘disrespectful’. Gayle said that the turn of events after England’s 5-0 humiliation in the Ashes Down Under and the way in which Kevin Pietersen had to walk away from the sport was disappointing.
Pietersen was made the scapegoat of a disastrous Ashes campaign in Australia and shown the door after the ECB made it very clear that Pietersen doesn’t find a mention in their future plans. Former cricketers Sir Vivian Richards and Andrew Flintoff have been of the opinion that KP was made the whipping boy of England’s toothless performance in the Ashes.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Gayle said : “I’m deeply disappointed at the manner in which he bowed out of international cricket. It was disrespectful. For such a great performer to walk away like that, who has made an impact around the world, it was really sad to see. You want to give a top player the chance to retire and walk away from the game regardless of what is happening. It is disrespectful.”
England overcame West Indies 2-1 in the recently concluded ODI series, but the overwhelming absence of their most high-profile star, not to mention their best batsman, was there for all to see.
Pietersen has been an integral part of England’s Ashes successes over the last decade, and played a pivotal role in helping England secure their first major ICC silverware in the form of the ICC World T20 in West Indies.
Gayle’s West Indies side will take on England in a three match T20 series, an ideal opportunity for the defending champions to get some momentum before they begin their title defence.
On whether he will miss his close pal Pietersen, Gayle said : “Personally, I will miss him, he’s an easy wicket for me so I’ll definitely miss him. I’m sure the fans are going to miss him too but I’ll try and put on a performance to entertain the fans and see what happens.”
