Former England captain Nasser Hussain admits the English selectors had to drop Kevin Pietersen for the crucial final Test against South Africa even though they will be weaker in his absence. Pietersen has been axed following a dramatic week which included allegations that the controversial England batsman sent text messages criticising his captain Andrew Strauss and coach Andy Flower during the second Test at Headingley.
The South Africa-born star had hinted he was ready to walk away from the sport after that match, in which he scored a dashing century, because of what he perceived as problems in the England squad.
He then launched a bizarre late bid to save his place in the squad on Saturday when he posted a video on YouTube in which he said he was willing to be considered for all forms of international cricket having only recently retired from one-day action.
With England trying to level the series against South Africa with a win at Lord’s this week, Hussain knows the move is a gamble but he believes Pietersen’s presence was proving too much of a distraction for the rest of the team. “I was a little bit surprised. It is not often a player gets 149 in a Test match and is left out the next week,” he told Sky Sports News.
