Matches (15)
T20 World Cup (5)
CE Cup (2)
Vitality Blast (8)
News

Giles Clarke and Kevin Pietersen statements

The full statements given by Giles Clarke and Kevin Pietersen during the press conference in Colombo

03-Oct-2012
Kevin Pietersen has signed a four-month ECB contract to begin the process of returning to international cricket. The deal was announced at a press conference in Colombo and below are the full statements read out by Pietersen and Giles Clarke, the ECB chairman
Giles Clarke
Clearly there has been a considerable amount of discussion around England cricket since issues emerged earlier this summer between Kevin and some of the England team. It has been the clear view of the ECB that proper investigation needed to take place into all aspects surrounding these issues. That investigation has only recently been concluded.
At the same time we have been waiting for the England dressing room and management to conclude that they were in agreement that the process of reintegration with Kevin could commence. Naturally, with the recent change of Test captain and the demands on the management preparing for and participating in an ICC world event this has meant that much time has been consumed. However, time is beneficial in these types of matters.
And in our society we believe that, if an individual transgresses, and the individual concerned recognises that and apologises for what they may have caused to those involved then it is important, and a fabric of our society that that individual should be given a real opportunity to be reintegrated into our society - and this principle is an essential part of having civilised and sensible ethics.
Kevin has apologised and he has said some further things today which are very important. I would like to make it clear that following this press conference the ECB and Kevin will consider the matter as closed and no further questions on the subject will be taken.
Kevin will be engaged in a reintegration process which has already started today with a lengthy meeting with myself and the process will continue in early October and will be led by the England team director, Andy Flower. Andy Flower will determine the progress of this process and he will advise the Board when he believes that the dressing room, the England management and Kevin himself are ready for Kevin to be reconsidered for selection. Following this, it will be a matter for the national selector and the team director to determine, as always, selection - and that could be very soon or much later; it will be entirely up to them.
The process is a private matter and we ask that you respect that and we will be giving no further updates.
Kevin Pietersen
I would just like to take this opportunity to apologise to my team-mates, all the England supporters and the ECB for the situation which has arisen over the last couple of months but thankfully we have drawn a line under it and it is time to move forward.
Although it has already been covered in the statement I would like to make it very clear that at no time did I share tactical information with any of the South Africans or South African management. Playing for England is the pinnacle of any cricketer's career and I want the opportunity to do that again as soon as possible. Some of my proudest and best moments of my life have been in an England shirt and I want them to continue for as long as possible.
I am entirely committed to completing the reintegration process we have agreed over the coming weeks and resuming my England career in all formats, hopefully until the World Cup in 2015, or as long as my body allows.
I want my son growing up seeing me playing for England and I hope that one day he will put an England shirt on himself.