Will Pietersen’s public reputation prevent legendary status?

The cricketing world experienced the end of an era last week with the retirement of the ‘little master’, Sachin Tendulkar, following his 200^th test match against the West Indies. Amidst debates surrounding the greatest batsman of all time (widely accepted to be between Tendulkar and Don Bradman), the small matter of the Ashes is almost upon us.

The first test in Brisbane is set to mark an individual milestone for England’s star batsman, Kevin Pietersen as, providing his inflamed knee holds tight, he is set to make his 100^th test appearance. However, instead of heralding Pietersen as a great of the game, with over 13,500 international runs amassed in a unique style, public opinion is divided about his status.

As an entertainer, with inventive stroke play and the ability to clear the boundary rope with relative ease, Pietersen encapsulates the modern game. He burst onto the international stage after spells in county cricket with Nottinghamshire, and later Hampshire and Surrey. Then, after impressing in Zimbabwe he repelled the hostility from his native South Africans in smashing an ODI century in just 69 balls.

Kevin Pietersen with pop-star wife Jessica Taylor from Liberty X. The sportsman is often criticised for his glam lifestyle.

He further proved his talent in the historic 2005 Ashes, narrowly gaining a place in the team ahead of the 100-capped Graham Thorpe. He hit arguably the innings of his generation, with a swashbuckling 158 to secure the urn at the Oval. Eight years on, he still continues to defy the odds, hitting 227 in Adelaide in 2009, an unbeaten 202 against India at Lords in 2011, and 186 in Mumbai in 2012, just to name a few of his innings that will live long in the memory.

Instead of heralding Pietersen as a great of the game, with over 13,500 international runs amassed in a unique style, public opinion is divided about his status.

However, it is not merely the fact that he leads all English batsmen in the total international runs scored chart that puts him as a contender for greatness, but rather the way in which he scores them that stands out. Whether he’s flicking the ball through midwicket with his trademark ‘flamingo,’ or switch-hitting Murali into the Edgbaston crowd, Pietersen rarely fails to disappoint.

Despite his trouble against left arm spin, KP can do things that Tendulkar, Ponting, Kallis or any other of the modern greats could never dream of. His test match strike rate of 63 dwarfs that of his teammates; Cook and Trott score 47 runs per 100 balls, whilst the elegant Bell can only manage slightly more at 49.

So why does he not stand alongside Gooch, Boycott, Hammond and Hutton as an English cricketing legend? Many of Pietersen’s antics divide public opinion. His showbiz mannerisms, blingy jewellery, popstar wife and ‘skunk’ haircut (that he sported back in his early days) are but a few.

Pietersen sports a ‘skunk’ haircut in the early days. Pictured here in the centre. Photo: cowfish

Yet others, such as Botham and Flintoff, have enjoyed extravagant lifestyles whilst being adored. The reason he is not yet at legendary status is not due to the fact that he may be an unlikeable character.

Rather, the main controversy surrounding Pietersen’s career is his reported dressing room aura – his unpopularity amongst his teammates. With his country of birth being one of England’s main competitors, South Africa, his loyalty to the cause is often questioned. After being awarded the captaincy following Michael Vaughan and Paul Collingwood’s reigns in Test and ODI cricket respectively, Pietersen led a calamitous five month period ending in him standing down and the coach, Peter Moores, getting sacked.

Back in his ranks as a batsman he again upset the apple cart in 2011, where rumours circulated that he had passed information via text to the South Africans regarding his captain Andrew Strauss. When this was confirmed, Pietersen was exiled, and his preference to play an extended spell in the IPL with the Delhi Daredevils again suggested he wasn’t keen to put the team first. Now back amongst the England setup following an apology, Pietersen has never failed to provide ammunition for his critics. Many would argue that these controversies are ‘just not cricket’, and he is regularly upsetting traditionalists.

However, Pietersen’s status must be seen as one of true greatness. He has defied boundaries, created new shots, built innings of breathtaking brilliance and, ultimately, scored a bucketful of runs. He has put his love of cricket ahead of his nationality, and genuinely adores playing for the country that gave him such opportunity. The test match in Australia this week will mark the milestone of one of England’s greatest batsmen. For England’s sake, with the aim of regaining the Ashes for the fourth successive time, let’s hope Pietersen displays his true greatness.