Nixon backs Pietersen

SHARJAH - Former England cricketers Paul Nixon and Andrew Caddick share different views on the Kevin Pietersen-Peter Moores row which eventually led to both individuals losing their jobs as captain and coach respectively.

News of problems between the two became public after Pietersen's confidential e-mail to the ECB regarding his relationship with Moores was leaked to the media. The ensuing situation left the board with little option but to let Moores go with the captain tending in his resignation shortly afterwards.

While several pundits have torn into Pietersen for his part in the turmoil, Nixon who played with the South African-born batsman for the national team two years ago fiercely defended his former teammate.

“Kevin's given his heart and soul to England as a captain and a batsman,'' Nixon told XPRESS while in Sharjah to represent the Lord's Taverners side against the Emirates Airlines XI at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

“I think it was very poorly handled by the ECB. Something like this should have been kept under wraps. Kevin Pietersen was away on holiday at the time and had to come back two days early. That could have been all done behind closed doors or in a hotel before it came out into the press.''

Nixon also rubbished rumours that Pietersen issued any ultimatum to the ECB. “He never actually gave an ultimatum. All he said was: ‘Under this present regime, I won't be able to work with Peter in the West Indies'. So he never said: ‘It's him or me'.'' Caddick did not see it the same way as his Lord's Taverners teammate.

“You can't give ultimatums no matter who you are as a player. It sets a wrong precedent as far as atmosphere in the team is concerned,'' said the pace bowler. “They should have sat down and tried to sort these problems out rather than go to the press. I have heard rumours that [Pietersen] did that initially and intentionally and is glad it came out in the press because it brought it to a head, but it's not the right thing to do.''

As England left yesterday to tour the West Indies, with the Ashes to come in the summer, Nixon backed Pietersen to put this ugly episode behind him.

“I think obviously it's going to be a little bit different to start with. But Kevin's quite thick skinned. He will just want do all the talking with his bat now. “He's such a mentally strong guy and a world-class player. And you just watch how many runs he scores now. “I really believe he will have a massive series.''