"Lord, I don't ask that I should win, but please, please don't let me finish behind Akabusi."
Kevin Pietersen on cricket
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Kevin Pietersen, London, Sphere, 2015. ISBN 978-0-7515-6204-0
In contrast to his autobiography,KP, this is an uncontroversial book but it is none the less interesting for that. It is a technical book written in non-technical way. He sets out his approach to batting in an analytical way, how he builds an innings, test or ODI, facing fast or spin bowling etc.
His analysis of other players, strengths and weaknesses – for example the weaknesses England identified in top opponents and how they approached them - gives a fascinating insight into how elite cricket is played. Perhaps as a consequence of the flak from the previous book, he is generous in his assessment of team-mates and opponents. He selects his best 11 players – that he has played test cricket, with or against. The analysis of each one and reasons for their selection makes excellent reading.
He argues that there is a clear relationship between personality and style of batting. Thus you sometimes hear people say that a particular player would be a better batsman if he took more risks but, Pietersen says, if his personality is to be cautious, he cannot easily take risks in his cricket.
While the book may be called uncontroversial it is far from bland and at times witty. I loved his description of the fastest over he ever faced – from Brett Lee: “I know a brilliant over when I don’t see one”.
The nearest he comes to re-opening old wounds is a comment on Alistair Cook: “However it may have seemed, I never had an issue with Cooky, never. Even now, I still don’t have an issue. Obviously I didn’t enjoy that he was there when I was sacked. I think that he was led to believe that I was somebody I wasn’t, that I was causing trouble in the dressing room when I wasn’t”
He is very honest about his own captaincy skills: “My time leading England was brief, and it was probably right that it was, as even though I’ve got a good cricket brain, I just didn’t understand players”. Another section gives a good insight into this aspect of his play: “People like to say that cricket is a team game, but that’s nonsense. Cricket is not a team game; cricket is a collection of individuals playing for a team”.
Pietersen is a “walker” and he explains why: “When it comes to walking, however, my thoughts are that if you know you’re out, you walk. If I’m out, I’m out, and I’ve got no interest in pretending I’m not”.
There is one reference to faith, when he explains he is not superstitious: “Superstitions aren’t for me. You get out of the game what you put into it. That I feel so strongly about this probably has something to do with growing up in a religious home”.
An enjoyable and very readable book.