New Pietersen row reveals old tensions

Controversy has been as much a part of Kevin Pietersen's career as linseed oil in an old bat, so the fact several British newspapers carried reports today of England coach Andy Flower issuing a 'he goes or I go' ultimatum came as no surprise.
Both the 33-year-old Pietersen, who finished as the tourists' top scorer in the series despite managing just 294 runs at a rate of 29.40, and Flower did their best to rubbish the reports in bland public statements.
But it seems new England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) managing director Paul Downton will have to decide if the talented shotmaker remains 'worth the trouble'.

According to former England seamer Mike Selvey, the long-serving cricket correspondent of the Guardian, Flower's view was clear.
"So adamant is Flower that the presence of Pietersen in the dressing room is detrimental to the future development of the side that he is believed to be prepared to resign his position should Downton, James Whitaker, the new national selector, and Alastair Cook -- if he retains the captaincy -- insist that Pietersen should be a part of that process," Selvey wrote.
There is also the question of whether Pietersen's chronic knee injury means his best days are now behind him, despite his stated desire to score 10,000 Test runs -- a goal which, if he reaches it, is likely to help, not hinder, England's prospects.

Indeed Pietersen's maiden Test century has a claim to being England's most important of the 21st century so far, given that it secured the draw that saw England regain the Ashes after an 18-year gap in 2005.
On a day when conventional 'bat for a draw' tactics simply led a to a flurry of wickets at the other end, Pietersen audaciously counter-attacked bowlers of the calibre of Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee and Shane Warne.