Kevin Pietersen scorns England team selection to put rapprochement on hold

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/mar/03/kevin-pietersen-england-team-selection

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Kevin Pietersen’s recent charm offensive appears to be on hold after he rubbished England’s World Cup team selection on Tuesday morning.

The exiled batsman suggested on Twitter that reasons behind their faltering World Cup campaign are that England are not picking their best team and they are too obsessed by statistics.

Pietersen made the comments after South Africa passed 400 for the second successive game, as they piled up 411 for four against Ireland in Canberra.

Initially he tweeted: “cricket lovers – if you don’t believe that world cricket has changed, then you never will! SA just scored 400 again in a 50 over game!”

He then replied to a comment, writing: “@kingymoments: @KP24 but, but, but ... Why can’t England?!” Cos the best team isn’t playing & too interested in stats!“

Pietersen was given hope of an unlikely England return by the incoming chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, Colin Graves, on Sunday.

Pietersen has since appeared optimistic a resolution can be found to pave the way for his international recall, even though the ECB released a statement after Graves’ comments reiterating that “nothing had changed” in his status and adding “only players who are playing consistent high-quality county cricket and who are seen as a positive influence will be selected for England”.