Kevin Pietersen Denied England Recall: Memes, Reaction to #StraussLogic

@_EOW_

Kevin Pietersen was on his way to a personal best first-class score of 355 not out as new England director of cricket Andrew Strauss was informing the world that he would not be considered for selection for the national team.

For KP, who had returned to Surrey in the hope of earning an England recall, it was a case of so near, yet so far—but as our gif artist @_EOW_ depicts above, his former captain Strauss appears to have put the final nail in the coffin of his England chances. 

But it's not a stance that has had much support this morning. For a start, two respected international captains have had their say, using the hashtag #StraussLogic:  

"

I see the head boy is making English cricket the laughing stock again! #StraussLogic

— Graeme Smith (@GraemeSmith49) May 12, 2015"

Kumar Sangakkara, meanwhile, could scarcely believe that despite being denied a recall, Strauss asked Pietersen to advise England on the one-day team:

"

"I don't trust @KP24 enough for him to play for England but I trust him enough to advise me on ODI cricket" #strausslogic .

— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) May 12, 2015"

Shane Warne plumped for simply #shambles to sum up his view:

"

Read that my old mate Strauss has said KP won't play for Eng, but offered him an advisory role to help Eng ? What the ? Serious ? #shambles

— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) May 12, 2015"

Elsewhere, there was plain anger, as best represented by KP's ally Piers Morgan:

"

Paul Downton must be thrilled - he's no longer the worst manager in England cricket history. #StraussOut #BringBackKP

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) May 12, 2015"

Meanwhile, online polls seemed to tell a clear story on whether England fans wanted Pietersen back or not:

"

The people want KP back but Strauss can only trust him to be an advisor #StraussLogic pic.twitter.com/LyslPzajyB

— Rhys Dunn (@rhysdunn882) May 12, 2015"

Perhaps the saddest sight was Pietersen's match highlights being tweeted out by the ECB on the morning his route back to the national team was blocked:

"

Follow the links to free #LVCC highlights, including of Kevin Pietersen's 326 not out. http://t.co/xZHzwu6W1J pic.twitter.com/vnGpeSaB5t

— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) May 12, 2015"

Here's what you could have won, England.

[Gif by @_EOW_]