Guildford was treated to a night with England Cricket’s highest ever international run-scorer and current Surrey CCC player on Tuesday evening when Kevin Pietersen appeared at The Mandolay Hotel. His interview with Sky News presenter and journalist Philippa Tomson was part of the Guildford Book Festival 2014 and again highlighted the kind of calibre guest that the local literature festival brings to Our Town.
In front of three hundred eager fans, the calm and casual Kevin Pietersen answered questions about his upbringing, his technique, style and dismissals and his controversial autobiography which is an exposé on the inner workings of the national cricket team. Kevin has never been far away from media attention after bursting onto the global stage with his inspirational performances that helped lead England to winning the 2005 home Ashes series. That series has since been coined as possibly the best ever and it propelled a young KP to world fame with his big grin, South African accent and audacious bleached hair.
Pietersen has since been best known for his nonchalant battling style that has seen audiences grin with glee and pull their hair out in equal measure throughout his career. He is often referred to as the most naturally talented English batsman that has ever played and as a ‘genius’, but despite his work ethic, love for the game and commitment to the country (despite being born and raised in South Africa), he has always been a controversial figure with the English media and public.
The ‘switch-hit’ shot that is played by a variety of the world’s best batsman nowadays, was originally his creation and proved so contentious at the time that it provoked the M.C.C to call an emergency meeting just days after to talk of the legitimacy of the shot. In the summer of 2012, KP was dropped from the team after it was leaked that the England player had been in touch with opposition South African players, possibly divulging tactical information about his captain Andrew Strauss and Head Coach, Andy Flower.
Kevin Pietersen and Andy Flower pictured arguing. Image sourced from: http://tinyurl.com/lc2y8nn
A couple of months later, KP was reintegrated into the team after an investigation and became an integral part of the successful touring party of India that winter, before playing back to back Ashes series in 2013 that ultimately proved to be his last. He was England’s top run scorer in the disastrous away Ashes series that saw the retirement of Graeme Swann mid-way through, Jonathon Trott leave for stress-related reasons and Vice-Captain, Matt Prior dropped due to poor form. Afterwards, he was released from his contract by the ECB, stating that his disengagement with the team had now made his position within the setup untenable, affectively ending his international career.
His autobiography and the talks he’s done over the past two weeks have been his way of trying to balance the scales that he felt had mounted against him. Still hugely popular and charismatic, there are an abundance of people who would still like to know exactly why this brilliantly talented player that was named Man of the Tournament in England’s only World Cup success cannot be considered worthy of a place in the national side.
However, the bitter row with ex-England coach Andy Flower and player Matt Prior still blazes and is probably detrimental to English cricket, so whilst the Andrew Strauss saga may have been dealt with swiftly, there appears to be no way back now.
The audience at the Mandolay was treated to an insight into the person that makes up KP and with a question and answer session and book signing, there was plenty of access to this global sports star that you do not normally get. He joked about some of the more controversial elements, whilst giving great advice to a youngster and remained adamant as ever that he is not a ‘special’ player, just someone who works really hard and has taken his opportunity.
Born in South Africa, but made in England, Kevin Pietersen is one of those enigmatic characters that is always going to split opinion, however, no one could question his talent, achievements with and dedication to English cricket. It will not be too long, before KP is on the front pages again for something or other, let’s hope that as sports fans it’s because of cricketing reasons.
Congratulations to Jim Parks, Creative Director and the Guildford Book Festival team for putting on a fabulous event that proved both popular and intriguing- a rare chance to see a genuine celebrity in Guildford was certainly not passed up!
James Martin
Image at top pictured by Rachael Lowndes