Captaincy brings its own stresses

1:54pm Friday 8th August 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

If you can’t beat them, join them. That seems to be the new mantra governing English cricket.

Having failed to conquer the South Africans this summer, the selectors have decided to make one our captain.

It’s not the first time this has happened, of course, as Kevin Pietersen follows in the footsteps of Cape Province-born Tony Greig.

But the man who promised to “make the West Indies grovel” was a product of the 1970s, when his home country were persona non grata on the world scene.

South Africa were still in exile a decade later when Robin Smith and Alan Lamb nailed their colours to the adopted mast.

With Pietersen, though, the situation is completely different.

South Africa are very much at the forefront of the international game. He chose not to play for them, objecting to the controversial quota system that was briefly introduced to ensure a mixed selection of black and white players.

Pietersen could have backed his ability and fought for one of the “white” spots but instead he turned his back and moved to England.

We have gained a fantastic, stand-out batsman with the character and brashness of Ian Botham in his prime. Throw in the pop star wife and diamond earrings and he can equally be cast as the cricket equivalent of David Beckham.

Whether KP can retain his natural swagger under the stresses of the captaincy – and Botham himself couldn’t manage it – will soon become apparent.

Good buddy Shane Warne, another chip from the same block, reckons that Pietersen will have to reconsider his whole outlook. It’s no longer just about him and his own performance.

It’s also about the hopes of his country. If KP wasn’t convinced who he belonged to before, he will sure know now.