SHANE WARNE BELIEVES Kevin Pietersen’s fallout with the England cricket team could have been resolved over ‘a beer and a feed at the pub’.
Pietersen, arguably England’s most talented batsman, was dropped for the series-defining third Test against his native South Africa after he was accused of sending derogatory text messages about captain Andrew Strauss and coach Andy Flower to the Proteas camp.
Pietersen’s management have reportedly issued an apology to the ECB, but the player is yet to meet with either Strauss or Flower in person and his international future remains in doubt.
As expected the 32-year-old was left out of England’s squad for the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka, which was announced on Tuesday morning.
The row could not have come at a worse time for England, who lost their number one spot in the world Test rankings to South Africa following their 51-loss in the third Test on Tuesday.
Warne, a friend and former house-mate of the 32-year-old, said the England team needed to accept Pietersen had an outlandish personality and do more to accommodate it on and off the field.
“From a leadership point of view, I think England have let him down. You have to also understand that some players are a little bit different and need different things,” Warne said in Melbourne yesterday. ”It shouldn’t have got to this. Pietersen and Strauss could have went down to the pub and had a beer and feed, and if they had to punch the absolute whatever out of each other, then so be it.
“If you have to get it out of your system then do it. Then come back and put your arm around each other and walk out and play together.”
Warne believes the conforming atmosphere amid the England team had conflicted with Pietersen’s character.
“There is faults on both sides. I think there is a bit too much ego at the (England and Wales Cricket Board) ECB. There is no give and take or compromise (with team rules).
“But I think Kevin will be the first to admit that he has acted in a way that has been a bit silly and stupid and I am sure he would like to take back those actions.”
Warne urged both parties to come to a compromise before the start of the one-day series against South Africa, which begins in Cardiff on Friday.
“Whether that can happen or if there is too much damage done is up to them to sort out. To me it is just a tragedy that he isn’t playing international cricket.”
Warne, 42, has re-signed with Big Bash Twenty20 side Melbourne Stars, and will captain the team for the 2012/13 season, in place of Cameron White.
England World Twenty20 squad: Broad, Bairstow, Bopara, Bresnan, Briggs, Buttler, Dernbach, Finn, Hales, Kieswetter, Lumb, Morgan, Patel, Swann, Wright.
