First of all, I have a confession to make. I haven't read Kevin Pietersen's autobiography. Like everybody else, that minor detail won't stop me commentig upon it. It's no secret that I'm no fan of KP. If he's a team player, it's Team Pietersen. Even Geoff Boycott, another maverick genius who arguably scored runs for himself rather than his colleagues - although rather more slowly! - indisputably loved his county, something Mr P never did. Whichever county it happened to be.
Nevertheless, I can't deny that Pietersen was a mighty fine batsman, capable of winning matches alone, especially the big ones. Despite the questions about his effort and on-field demeanour during the last Ashes series, he produced some superb innings. His record against Australia usually makes the headlines yet his Ashes stats look mediocre in comparison with those achieved against India and the West Indies.
8,181 runs in Tests at 47.28, 4,440 in ODIs at a nifty strike rate of 87 and 1,176 at 142 are impressive figures but don't tell the story of Pietersen's contribution to England's rise to the top of world cricket. The silly haircuts, tattoos and audacious shot-making were part of Brand KP and he never shirked controversy. And that proved to be his downfall. KP wasn't the moustachioed pantomime villain who lost the Ashes, and he certainly puts a different spin on that miserable winter in the new book, but he lost the confidence of the Flower-Cook regime long before that.
George Dobell's excellent article on the ESPNCricinfo website plays it commendably straight, and recognises that the book highlights flaws in the ECB hierarchy. True, but Andy Flower oversaw one of England's most gilded of golden ages. Of course, it didn't last long, as team allegiances and individuals' form crumbled. Paul Downton confirmed earlier this summer that KP was history as far as England were concerned, and I really don't blame him. His replacements have generally done a fine job in Tests although the jury is out when it comes to 50-over cricket. Pietersen hasn't even done much to earn his T20 franchise millions, either, and now Surrey have pulled the plug, although that may have been a cute move by the player to avoid ECB punishment. After all, you can't ban someone who hasn't a team to play for, right?
As for the veracity of Pietersen's counter-claims, who knows? It's one man's word against another. And another. And another, and another, etc, etc. Not even Piers Morgan was present in the dressing rooms when all the acrimony spilled over into rather ungentlemanly behaviour and language that might even make Jimmy Anderson blush. KP has been careful to temper his criticism of Peter Moores and Alastair Cook, presumably because he still fancies his chances of getting the call to the World Cup. However, Matt Prior gets it with both barrels. Another South African import, Pietersen has gone all Balotelli: 'Why is it always me?' saying the wicketkeeper was the main protagonist in the unrest, not him. So why, if that's the case, didn't the management boot Prior out? Perhaps his injury and Jos Buttler's rise gave the new regime a way out? Or maybe KP's remarks are just untrue or, as Mark Butcher says, it's the truth 'as he sees it'.
Graeme Swann has stuck his head above the parapet and described the autobiography as 'a work of fiction' and no doubt there will be other versions emerging in print in the coming years. For now, Pietersen's book will top the sports book bestseller list between now and Christmas. Whether on the fiction or non-fiction shelves, he will rake in more money in advance of the next Big Bash, IPL, etc.
Do I feel sorry for him? No. Several years ago, England were a better side with him in the line-up but now are better off without him. Cricket is more of an individual sport than football but team spirit is still vital and the fact is that nobody has really admitted liking him. The SA Textgate affair, the cavalier attitude to county loyalty have overshadowed his batting achievements.
Like an ageing primadonna, his words remind me less of a proud patriotic warrior and more of Kenneth Williams' memorable line in Carry On Cleo as his Julius Caesar faced the knives of his soon-to-be murderers: "Infamy! infamy! They've all got it in for me..."
