Kevin Pietersen changes public perception with warm demeanour in Big Bash after England sacking
A year ago egocentric Kevin Pietersen was the cricketer Australians loved to hate, but now “The Walking Ego” is cricket’s “Captain Charisma”.
Cricket
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News.
TWELVE months ago, big, brash, seemingly egocentric Kevin Pietersen was the cricketer Australian fans most loved to hate.
Loss after loss, failure after failure, he trudged off Aussie venues to Bronx cheers and returned to the England dressing room to find a barrage of social media abuse on his phone.
KP ADMITS TO ‘CRYING SESSIONS’ AFTER ENGLAND SACKING
Now, “The Walking Ego” is Australian cricket’s “Captain Charisma”.
When he walks out to bat and is introduced via the ground PA system, fans cheer for KP (not a typo).
When he walks off the field after being dismissed, a facetious send-off is seemingly the last thing on fans’ minds (also not a typo).
What a difference a year — and an Australian domestic T20 competition shown on free-to-air television during prime time viewing — makes.
While a lot of these fans would be Melbourne Stars supporters, the general perception of Pietersen among the Australian cricket community, no matter which BBL team one supports, has undoubtedly changed over the past month.
The more games he plays and commentates, the more critics he seems to convert.
Pietersen’s image change has stemmed from being “mic’d-up” during Stars games. He has provided BBL viewers with engrossing, fascinating access to his character, tactics and thought process while fielding and batting.
From enthusiastically encouraging his Stars batting partners, to revealing his plans in how to score off specific bowlers, to reminiscing with Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist about past Australia-England clashes, KP’s bubbly personality, as well as his brilliant cricket brain, has shone through.
Then there have been his commentary stints at non-Stars games, where he has captivated audiences by revealing his passion for competitive cricket and big hitting — his reactions to some sixes have been priceless — as well as his willingness to engage in banter with his fellow commentators.
Yet Pietersen’s new-found popularity peaked on Thursday night as Brisbane Heat crumbled against Melbourne Renegades at Etihad Stadium.
While the Heat’s lower order meandered along, trying to fix the mess created by the top order, Pietersen, in the commentary box, was put in the hot seat by Ponting.
The former Australia skipper, who played four tense Ashes series against Pietersen, quizzed the big Englishman on a range of topics and issues, including the deep emotional toll of the past 12 months, which culminated in writing a tell-all autobiography after the English Cricket Board banished him from all national teams.
The interview was so brilliant, it seemed as if the on-field action was rudely interrupting the 25-minute “Open Punter” program that would have made legendary AFL journalist Mike Sheahan proud.
While Ponting’s questioning won ample plaudits, Pietersen’s transparency when answering was just as enlightening.
He revealed he had suffered “a couple of crying sessions” over his England exile, before suggesting current England one-day captain Eoin Morgan would still like him in the side.
“I’ve got no idea why I’m not playing for England. I’ve never been told. But I know that the current captain (Morgan) would like to have me in the England team,” Pietersen said.
Social media fell weak at the knees during the candid Ponting-Pietersen chat.
“The more I hear that man speak the more I feel sorry for him that his career has been cut short one can only hope England wake up soon. Massive loss to world cricket, “ said Nut Hardiaty on the Fox Sports Cricket Facebook page.
Another fan, David Abreu, added: “Ever since KP has come to Australia to play in the Big Bash he has won the Aussie fans over I reckon, he certainly has earned a lot of respect. And his commentary while playing has been awesome, he is a very likable guy, England’s loss.”
Just as importantly, Pietersen has shown great committed to the Stars and performed solidly for his team. From his five games so far, he has produced scores of 66, 1, 25, 54 and 49.
KP mightn’t have been the most popular man in the English dressing room one year ago, but his Stars teammates have embraced him almost as warmly as Pietersen has embraced his new team. He’s always in and among the Stars’ wicket celebrations, proudly congratulating bowlers and fielders on their efforts.
“He’s a great fella and a lot of people who I’ve talked to have said they’ve been turned around, especially by watching the Big Bash and the insights he’s been giving,” Stars teammate Glenn Maxwell told SEN.
“I’ve known him for a few years. I played with him at Delhi three years ago in the IPL and thought he was a great bloke then.
“Luckily enough he’s come to the Stars and performed absolutely brilliantly for us.”
If the aim of Pietersen’s BBL adventure was to give the competition more prominence and provide the Stars with a world-class batsman — and don’t you worry, he’ll produce plenty of runs at international level if he ever receives a second chance — a big, fat tick is deserved.
But thanks to a dramatic image change that seemed impossible 12 months ago, Pietersen could be the biggest benefactor.
Originally published as Kevin Pietersen changes public perception with warm demeanour in Big Bash after England sacking
BBL: What every last-round match means for finals spots
The Hurricanes, Sixers and Thunder will play BBL14 finals. The last spot is between five teams with four games remaining. We examine every scenario and the likely outcome.
Kuhnemann set to be ruled out as injury hits Test squad
Left-arm off spinner Matt Kuhnemann is set to miss Australia’s Test tour of Sri Lanka with Ashton Agar in the frame as his replacement if selectors decide to swap like for like.