Kevin Pietersen's England snub can benefit St Lucia Zouks, says Sir Andy Roberts
Tuesday 9 June 2015 11:23, UK
Legendary West Indian fast bowler Sir Andy Roberts believes the St Lucia Zouks can benefit from Kevin Pietersen's England omission as he prepares to play in the Caribbean Premier League.
Pietersen had been hoping for an international recall after last being selected for England during the 2013-14 Ashes Tour in Australia.
However, his prospects were dealt a blow by new director of cricket Andrew Strauss when he told the 34-year-old he would not play for England again this summer.
Strauss - a former team-mate of Pietersen's - cited a 'massive trust issue' between the two as a reason for leaving him out.
That came despite apparent pre-season encouragement from ECB chairman Colin Graves and a score of 355 not out for Surrey against Leicestershire in the LV= County Championship.
Pietersen is now heading across the Atlantic and Roberts, who will mentor the Zouks, is looking forward to working with him.
Asked if Pietersen should still be playing internationally, Roberts said: "If he's still scoring the runs and he's fit to play, then I see no reason why not.
"One of the things I see is that we must keep personal matters out of the sport.
"Everybody accuses him of being selfish but I know for you to be a top class sportsman, in any category be it a team or self, you have to be selfish.
"With a team sport, if the selfishness becomes a distraction on the team then you're no good for the team.
"But if the selfishness is for yourself and your team benefits then there's no problem with that. If Kevin Pietersen is selfish and goes out to bat and scores 100 in 80-odd balls, that must be for the benefit of the team.
"I used to want to get all the wickets because I knew that if I got all the wickets it would help the team win.
"Once Kevin Pietersen comes to St Lucia Zouks and prepares to play his part, I don't think he'll have a problem with anybody.
"He didn't have any problems with any of us last year when he came for two matches. I found he helped and he looked to help some of the youngsters.
"They had a few conversations with him and some have seen wisdom in what he's said."
Pietersen will represent the Zouks for the second time after turning out for St Lucia in the latter stages of the Caribbean’s Twenty20 competition last year.
