For Pete's sake, it's not cricket

What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? This could be the standard query when summing up the Kevin Pietersen versus Peter Moores versus English Cricket Board confrontation.

In many ways Pietersen, a batsman of tremendous talent, but given to fits of petulance, got what he deserved. He simply overplayed his hand. Perhaps he saw the team's interests as an extension of his own ego and received a rude shock.

Never ever give an ultimatum unless you have an appropriate exit plan. The answer in this case was pretty clear: no one can be bigger than the game and, as is often in sports, bigger than those who govern it. The English Board has served out healthy doses of humble pie to both the captain and coach Peter Moores, the former's exit being more inglorious. The captaincy has now gone to Strauss. Pietersen must go through the process of growing up.