The outspoken England middle-order batsman Kevin Pietersen once again revived his long-term feud with the current Director OF England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and former England captain Andrew Strauss in the wake of the England wicket-keeper Johnny Bairstow’s ‘head-butt’ saga. Notably, Strauss defended Bairstow’s head-butt to the young Australian debutant Cameron Bancroft as “a little bump of heads” and “something he does with his rugby mates”.
“It was a jest, a joke. When people mention a head-butt, there’s a connotation around aggression, malicious behaviour, intent to hurt. It was anything but this. He was completely baffled, surprised and shocked that this was a massive issue,” the 100 Tests veteran was heard saying.
It was suggested that “bump of heads” is a form of greeting Bairstow uses, which the 37-year-old Pietersen vouched up on.
Pietersen from his official Twitter account wrote, ““Strauss says OK to a head-butt greeting. Can’t wait to see him again! #Ashes”
Strauss says ok to a head butt greeting. Can’t wait to see him again! #Ashes
— Kevin Pietersen? (@KP24) November 28, 2017
Pietersen is noted to head-butted Strauss a couple of times but in a different way. Pietersen was accused of sending ‘provocative’ messages to South African team members about Strauss resulting in him losing his spot in the team. In 2015, since Strauss became England’s head of cricket and Pietersen has not played international cricket.