England’s new captain has dared to explore, even to expand, his horizons. It is one of the most hazardous undertakings known to man. He went in search of the supreme. It is exactly the journey England has been so reluctant to undertake, writes Peter Roebuck.
Kevin Pietersen was the right choice to lead England for the next five years. Of course it is a gamble but the alternatives were also risky and at least he is worth his place. Everyone remembers Ian Botham’s disastrous spell as England captain but he was young and reckless. For all his blather and blunders, Pietersen is a smart cricketer.
It is the fate of great batsmen to be chastised for their occasional lapses, whilst lavish praise is bestowed upon sturdy contributions from lesser men.
Hitherto Pietersen has controlled his cricket career intelligently. His relentless promotion of his own interests had not endeared him to everyone, but he is hardly alone in taking care of himself. Although cricketers nowadays join in huddles and talk about teamwork it remains a starkly exposing and individual game and players know they must put runs on the board or wickets in the book or take the consequences. Sometimes the ambition is naked, sometimes it is guarded but even in these cheerful times it is seldom absent.
It is easy to find fault with the settler from South Africa. Pietersen can be abrasive, indiscreet and headstrong. Early in his career, when his name was known only in family circles, he complained to a West Australian journalist that his effort in taking five wickets in a friendly 50-over match had been ignored in the report. Nor was he abashed when the writer retorted that he had bowled tripe wrapped in garnish and had been lucky that the batsmen were hitting out. Impatience and self-belief were his driving forces.
Soon afterwards Pietersen fell out with Kwa Zulu Natal and packed his bags for England. At the time it seemed like arrogance. After all at that stage he had hardly scored a run in serious company and was in no position to demand anything from anyone.
He might easily have made a fool of himself. Nor did he leave quietly, attacking South Africa cricket officials as he departed. He joined Clive Rice in Nottinghamshire. It was his first move in pursuit of the greatness he felt within, an extraordinarily wilful and audacious step towards his destiny. Before anyone knew his name he was shouting from the rooftops.
Even his choice of county was significant. Seeking greatness, Pietersen took care to surround himself with it. When Nottinghamshire did not meet his standards, Rice having long since left, he did not hesitate to join Hampshire so that he could learn from Shane Warne. Clearly he felt comfortable in such company. By now Botham had become an advisor. He knew what he wanted from the old rogue, and took it.
From a distance it might seem that Pietersen was craving money and attention. Certainly he took every opportunity that arose. But it was not about glory or wealth. He wanted to be exceptional and to that end worked hard in gym and nets, took risks in the middle. It did not always make him easy to like but it was uncompromising and courageous. He did not take the easy way out, did not settle for the humdrum. As the Swan of Avon once observed, some men are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them. Pietersen belongs to the second, most confronting category.
England’s new captain has dared to explore, even to expand, his horizons. It is one of the most hazardous undertakings known to man. He went in search of the supreme.
It is exactly the journey England has been so reluctant to undertake. All the more reason to give him his head. His first team selection was typically bold. Long may it last.
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