Kevin Pietersen's Autobiography: Alastair Cook Shouldn't React to KP's Book
So, here we are, just one day after the launch of Kevin Pietersen's book KP: The Autobiography in a week that began with his explosive interview with Paul Hayward of The Telegraph.
Already, it's clear there'll be few winners from this spectacular, but largely lamentable, fallout. No one looks good in war; Pietersen's wrath only serving to further entrench the opinions of both his supporters and detractors as he opens up on his version of the events that ultimately led to his dismissal from the England team.
The hotly debated book, of course, is a must-read. A compelling character, both spectacular and polarising, Pietersen's account will be as captivating as his career; undoubtedly set to expose some difficult truths for England and the England and Wales Cricket Board while also shedding light on a flawed and insecure superstar who, at times, has been his own worst enemy.
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Pietersen's fierce criticism of former coach Andy Flower—documented in snippets of the book serialised this week, as well as in his interview with Hayward—was certainly expected. So too were his pointed remarks on wicket-keeper Matt Prior and prominent ECB identities Paul Downton and Giles Clarke.
Perhaps surprising, though, was Pietersen's reluctance to be equally as scathing of England captain Alastair Cook, who he says is "good at heart" and has been "put in an incredibly difficult position."
The batsman's motives for not scolding Cook will undoubtedly be questioned. Pietersen has made clear his hope that one day he'll represent his nation again—"I believe I can help Cooky get better," he said this week—which will lead some to conclude the 34-year-old reserved his sharp words for only those who can no longer have a say in his future with the team.
The supposed dossier that was leaked to ESPN Cricinfo—something Pietersen rubbished, describing it as "a joke and embarrassing," per The Telegraph—reflected a different sentiment, suggesting the now-sacked batsman stated during the team's disastrous Ashes tour that "AC [captain Alastair Cook] was weak, tactically inept and that his latest effort to galvanise the team was 'pathetic'," per BBC Sport.
The accuracy of the document seems somewhat shaky, given that the ECB seem to be scrambling to save face, declaring that the "document is not what it is purported to be."
In truth, it doesn't really matter. Not for Cook, at least. What Pietersen's position is on the England captain no longer holds any relevance for the captain himself.
Cook is clearly a reserved kind of man. It's easy to envisage the 29-year-old as a leader heavily influenced by the strong senior figures who surround him, as Pietersen has alluded to.
But there's no good that can come from Cook entering this bitter, public battle. As it is, both sides are already losing. Cricket is losing. Sport in general is losing. There's nothing to gain in any of this, only more damage that can be done.
The latest development in this saga, this dramatic end to the confidentiality period, also comes at an inopportune time for Cook. While his limited-overs credentials suffered at the back end of the summer, the opener's downward spiral as captain of the Test side began to arrest itself against India.
The embarrassing loss at Lord's was followed by three consecutive thrashings of the visitors, lifting the dark cloud that had descended over England and its leader ever so slightly and affording him both some time and respite.
It needs to be remembered that the summer commenced with Cook reacting angrily to the regular criticism from Australian great Shane Warne, heightening the perception that the England captain was becoming a distracted, anxiety-riddled man, burdened by the public pressure of his high-profile position.
Reacting to Pietersen, regardless of what the former star's position is, will only rekindle that sense, arming Cook's critics—typically those who sympathise with Pietersen—with considerable ammunition.
"I've got great admiration for him," Pietersen said of Cook in his interview with Hayward. "I hate to see the way he was this summer, because the ECB have put him in a very uncomfortable position and they could ruin his career. They literally could ruin his career."
"He's got huge challenges, but as I've said in my book, I backed him and I always did back Alastair," he added.
One of those challenges will be steering his team through this controversy. Simply keeping quiet would be a good start, or Cook will find himself losing the battle. Just like everyone else already is.
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