Kevin Pietersen could join Warne and co. in Nine’s commentary box for Ashes series
ASHES super villain Kevin Pietersen could be on an early flight to Australia following the disastrous collapse of South Africa’s T20 Global League.
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ASHES super villain Kevin Pietersen could bolster Channel Nine’s commentary team this summer following the disastrous collapse of South Africa’s T20 Global League.
Pietersen’s calendar has suddenly opened up and the door is now ajar for an earlier flight to Australia and potentially a seat in the box to call the first two or three blockbuster Ashes Tests for Nine before pulling on his Big Bash pads for the Melbourne Stars.
There are financial obstacles Nine would need to overcome for the 11th hour coup to succeed, given they’re already deep into plans with at least one other former England great to join the team.
However, it’s anticipated executives will at the very least enter into negotiations with Pietersen and see where they get to given the enormous presence and personality he can bring to the coverage as one of the most provocative analysts in cricket.
The 104-Test veteran and antagonist in some of the great Ashes moments made a big impact calling the three Test series for the network against South Africa last summer, and was already in the frame to commentate some one-day matches for Nine in January.
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Squeezing Pietersen into the Ashes box is no easy task and a long way from a guarantee, but the temptation to land his signature is huge given the historic day-night second Test in Adelaide starting December 2 could break all ratings records.
Pietersen has already labelled this England squad “horrendous” and publicly stirred the pot by declaring troubled all-rounder Ben Stokes cannot be allowed to tour.
CONFIRMED - CSA have 'postponed' their Global T20 League.
— KP (@KP24) October 10, 2017
I feel so sorry for all the youngsters who were going to learn & earn out of this comp!
DISASTER for SA sport!
🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈
The $ goes a long way in SA when converted. To think of the number of SA youngsters, players about to retire & coaches missing out this season is simply not good enough!
— KP (@KP24) October 10, 2017
I'm going to bed now, but just imagine the number of youngsters in SA cricket thinking this eve, KOLPAK, KOLPAK, KOLPAK! Can you blame them?
— KP (@KP24) October 10, 2017
The shambolic cancellation of the South African Global League less than a month before it was due to start is set to leave Pietersen owed almost $350,000 for the falling through of the contract he had to be the headline act at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stars.
South African cricket is now on the ropes after a reported half of the body’s financial reserves were plunged into the failed tournament, with the extraordinary developments giving Cricket Australia something more to think about ahead of their looming domestic TV rights deal.
It’s understood the primary reason the Global League went under – postponed for 12 months – is because organisers failed to attract local or international broadcasters to pay the big dollars required – a reflection of where sports rights are at worldwide.
CA made a slight increase on their last deal with the recently signed off on Indian TV rights contract with Sony, but possibly not quite what they envisaged going in.
Pietersen will be out of action for the Boxing Day and Sydney Tests as he prepares to launch into another season for the Melbourne Stars, but out of nowhere his playing commitments in November and December have vanished.
Born in South Africa, the 37-year-old vented his frustration on twitter at the detrimental impact on young athletes in the country, but the tournament’s loss could yet prove Nine’s gain.
“I feel so sorry for all the youngsters who were going to learn and earn out of this comp!” Pietersen said.
“DISASTER for SA sport!
“The $ goes a long way in SA when converted. To think of the number of SA youngsters, players about to retire and coaches missing out this season is simply not good enough!”
Pietersen’s 2005 Ashes winning captain Michael Vaughan has been rumoured to be on Nine’s radar, but he also has commitments this summer with the BBC/ABC and new British rights holders BT Sport.
The relationship between Pietersen and the ECB is rocky to say the least, but he knows the inner-workings of England cricket like no one else.
Pietersen had a major falling out with the ECB’s Andrew Strauss after he was effectively blacklisted from playing for England again after Australia’s 2013-14 Ashes whitewash.
Strauss is now the man who will ultimately decide whether or not Stokes – currently being investigated over an alleged assault – can tour Australia.