Shooting itself in the foot

So, curbing player power is why Kevin Pieterson had to go. Which would have made sense if there was the case for player power. But, as usual, the ECB misread the situation and now finds itself a mess.

Which is just about well, I say.

Player power was on display when the ECB bent over backwards to accommodate Sir Allen Stanford in order to dissuade players from running over to the IPL. It showed the extent to which the ECB would bend in order for its players to make some extra cash.

This was one battle the ECB could have avoided fighting. It was common knowledge that Pieterson and Moores were not bosom buddies. It is also well documented that England havent made any forward progress in the time that Moores was coach. And it is also well documented that Pieterson is ambitious, fiercely so.

And it was in Pieterson's interest ( and the ECB's) that the team progress - Pieterson getting the accolades for his leadership, the ECB because it would keep the bean counters active.

Kevin Pieterson's power struggle with Peter Moores was no display of player power. In fact, it was a golden opportunity for the ECB to quell player power.

Here is how.

Accede to Pieterson's demands. Sack Peter Moores. Get in a new coach. Put the onus of winning completely on Pieterson.

If he trips, he trips alone. If he succeeds,the ECB still brings home the money.

And when he trips, that becomes the fait accompli for the ECB to put him in place.

Also, because Pieterson does not command his dressing room, there are already ready made counterweights to his "power".

Also because Pieterson has an inflated worth of self, odds are that he will not let anyone else get anywhere close to the limelight, the Talisman included.

A perfect crabs in a box situation.

Which would have worked brilliantly for the ECB.

Instead, we now have atleast 3 power centers in the England team ( Pieterson, Strauss and Flintoff), no coach, no direction, no leadership and the ignominy of being the laughing stock of world cricket.

PS - Just been reading about the IPL frenzy following Pieterson's resignation drama. And that is the crux of the ECB's problem - no leverage.

No leverage with the South African Mercenary(tm) as he is no longer captain and is yet to sign the ECB's contact. There is very little the ECB can do if Pieterson now decides to pick and choos when he plays.

No leverage with Andrew Strauss as Strauss is the one the ECB is looking at to bail them out of this mess. Rest assured that he will extract his pound of flesh.

No leverage with the Talisman either.

"The ECB will have the final say on Pietersen's participation in the IPL as the tournament's rules clearly state all overseas players will require a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their respective national boards. " - is not an option because that will make both the players and the BCCI extremely unhappy. And that is not good.

The only thing the ECB can really do, short of dropping Pieterson is to bank on the goodwill generated with the BCCI to ensure his availability. But there will be quid pro quo.

Will the ECB pay the price?