Post by Wicked Cricket on Jul 31, 2014 10:26:26 GMT
Piers Morgan interview
Part 2
(Given that England have thrashed India in the 3rd Test, some of Morgan's comments may sound a little jaded)
Piers Morgan can never relax on such an auspicious day. Apart from captaining the family side, he is meeting and greeting old
friends from the village, tweeting voraciously to his 4.2m followers about the state of play, smiling for numerous photos, never
mind batting and bowling in two games. So, to find time for an interview was gracious and respectful.
What have you achieved with your ‘Back KP Campaign’?
What my campaign has done is keep Kevin Pietersen at the centre of cricketing debate. He was fired in February and nearly 6
months on more and more people are questioning whether the ECB made the right decision in sacking England’s best player.
Some suggest your campaign has made the ECB intransigent over their decision?
I would say the ECB have shown extraordinary intransigence by stating categorically KP will never play for England again. So,
having attempted to ruin his career, I refuse to let his name disappear just because a group of mediocre people in suits decide
that those paying £100 a ticket can’t watch the best England player.
How has KP reacted to his sacking?
He is deeply hurt. Kevin would play for England tomorrow if the call came. He is available now. KP has another two or three years
left in the International locker and given the number of England fixtures coming up, it could be a very painful next 18 months without
him.
And what of his book?
It’s coming out in October (October 9th). He’s been helped by a top ghost writer. The book explains his side of the story and will reveal
the truth about many of the myths written about him by journalists who have treated KP appallingly over the last two years. Their
attitude has been disgraceful. Kevin believes there are certain people very close to the England camp who are leaking stuff deliberately
to damage his credibility.
Would one of these people happen, perhaps, to be Giles Clarke?
(Pause, then a smile): Let others do the maths...
Morgan padded up and preparing for his 4 ball duck
The ECB must be upset with you over your KP campaign?
I asked several England players to join us today but I learnt that Paul Downton has told each one they’re not allowed to socialise with
me in any form. It’s so pathetic.
My ringers here today, none can understand why Pietersen is not in the England team. Simon’s wife Justine told me earlier that when
he had his last leg injury followed by an operation, KP was the only England player who texted him to see how he was. She won’t hear
a bad word against him. While, the press leak and brief all this poison, the truth is, he’s far more popular amongst the cricketing fraternity
than the public realise.
Justine Jones
You have been very vocal in criticising Alistair Cook’s captaincy. If he did resign who should take over?
Cook is not a natural captain. That is a major problem for the team. I want him to score big runs for England and do what he’s best
at. My beef is, I don’t want him to be captain. Perhaps, the most natural captain is Eoin Morgan. He would be good. Joe Root has
what it takes. He has the poise and confidence and is already a year older than Graeme Smith when he took over the South African
helm. I am not convinced by Bell... he is not captain material and I believe he knows that.
How did you persuade Yuvraj Singh to join the family team?
Yuvraj is someone I’ve been trying to get for awhile. He has a charitable cancer foundation (‘YouWeCan’) which he’s promoting in London.
He has a dinner on Tuesday which I will attend on his behalf. So, it’s quid pro quo.
twitter.com/YOUWECAN
And Simon Jones?
I tweeted him an offer, and immediately responded he would love to play. Simon is by far the quickest bowler I’ve played alongside. Courtney
Walsh, Ambrose, Devon Malcolm, Giddens... they have all bowled here, but nothing like the pace of Jones.
Is your special 50th birthday cricket match still on for next year?
Definitely. It will have an Australian theme as the match is couched between two Ashes Tests. I am hoping to get Shane Warne - he almost
played today - as well as Brett Lee and other Ozzie legends like Adam Gilchrist. Whilst KP, Freddie and more England greats may represent
the opposition.
Playing at Newick Next Year?
How have you been enjoying life beyond ‘CNN’?
I have taken various holidays, loved watching the recent sporting events, I remain busy. I’ve signed a new ITV deal for another series of
‘Life Stories’ and have some stuff bubbling under in America which I can’t talk about yet. I will be back on US TV in some capacity.
I don’t miss the CNN job. It was nearly four years of unrelenting, gruelling work. There were many highs, I interviewed some fantastic people,
but was ready for a change.
Any regrets?
None. I realise my gun law campaign was polarising. The reality is, you’ve got to believe in things passionately when you do a show like mine.
It brings the best out of you. My legacy is they are still debating the issue in the US and the needle has slightly moved on the argument.
I believe you received a number of death threats?
The gun lobby are powerful and menacing people. They will target anyone who they believe “infringe their rights” or in reality, infringe their
commercial ability to sell guns. Some of the death threats came via twitter but you mustn’t give them a moment’s thought. There is an
unpleasant streak running through the US gun lobby, where they are only interested in selling guns rather than saving lives. They have to
be stopped.
Part 2
(Given that England have thrashed India in the 3rd Test, some of Morgan's comments may sound a little jaded)
Piers Morgan can never relax on such an auspicious day. Apart from captaining the family side, he is meeting and greeting old
friends from the village, tweeting voraciously to his 4.2m followers about the state of play, smiling for numerous photos, never
mind batting and bowling in two games. So, to find time for an interview was gracious and respectful.
What have you achieved with your ‘Back KP Campaign’?
What my campaign has done is keep Kevin Pietersen at the centre of cricketing debate. He was fired in February and nearly 6
months on more and more people are questioning whether the ECB made the right decision in sacking England’s best player.
Some suggest your campaign has made the ECB intransigent over their decision?
I would say the ECB have shown extraordinary intransigence by stating categorically KP will never play for England again. So,
having attempted to ruin his career, I refuse to let his name disappear just because a group of mediocre people in suits decide
that those paying £100 a ticket can’t watch the best England player.
How has KP reacted to his sacking?
He is deeply hurt. Kevin would play for England tomorrow if the call came. He is available now. KP has another two or three years
left in the International locker and given the number of England fixtures coming up, it could be a very painful next 18 months without
him.
And what of his book?
It’s coming out in October (October 9th). He’s been helped by a top ghost writer. The book explains his side of the story and will reveal
the truth about many of the myths written about him by journalists who have treated KP appallingly over the last two years. Their
attitude has been disgraceful. Kevin believes there are certain people very close to the England camp who are leaking stuff deliberately
to damage his credibility.
Would one of these people happen, perhaps, to be Giles Clarke?
(Pause, then a smile): Let others do the maths...
Morgan padded up and preparing for his 4 ball duck
The ECB must be upset with you over your KP campaign?
I asked several England players to join us today but I learnt that Paul Downton has told each one they’re not allowed to socialise with
me in any form. It’s so pathetic.
My ringers here today, none can understand why Pietersen is not in the England team. Simon’s wife Justine told me earlier that when
he had his last leg injury followed by an operation, KP was the only England player who texted him to see how he was. She won’t hear
a bad word against him. While, the press leak and brief all this poison, the truth is, he’s far more popular amongst the cricketing fraternity
than the public realise.
Justine Jones
You have been very vocal in criticising Alistair Cook’s captaincy. If he did resign who should take over?
Cook is not a natural captain. That is a major problem for the team. I want him to score big runs for England and do what he’s best
at. My beef is, I don’t want him to be captain. Perhaps, the most natural captain is Eoin Morgan. He would be good. Joe Root has
what it takes. He has the poise and confidence and is already a year older than Graeme Smith when he took over the South African
helm. I am not convinced by Bell... he is not captain material and I believe he knows that.
How did you persuade Yuvraj Singh to join the family team?
Yuvraj is someone I’ve been trying to get for awhile. He has a charitable cancer foundation (‘YouWeCan’) which he’s promoting in London.
He has a dinner on Tuesday which I will attend on his behalf. So, it’s quid pro quo.
twitter.com/YOUWECAN
And Simon Jones?
I tweeted him an offer, and immediately responded he would love to play. Simon is by far the quickest bowler I’ve played alongside. Courtney
Walsh, Ambrose, Devon Malcolm, Giddens... they have all bowled here, but nothing like the pace of Jones.
Is your special 50th birthday cricket match still on for next year?
Definitely. It will have an Australian theme as the match is couched between two Ashes Tests. I am hoping to get Shane Warne - he almost
played today - as well as Brett Lee and other Ozzie legends like Adam Gilchrist. Whilst KP, Freddie and more England greats may represent
the opposition.
Playing at Newick Next Year?
How have you been enjoying life beyond ‘CNN’?
I have taken various holidays, loved watching the recent sporting events, I remain busy. I’ve signed a new ITV deal for another series of
‘Life Stories’ and have some stuff bubbling under in America which I can’t talk about yet. I will be back on US TV in some capacity.
I don’t miss the CNN job. It was nearly four years of unrelenting, gruelling work. There were many highs, I interviewed some fantastic people,
but was ready for a change.
Any regrets?
None. I realise my gun law campaign was polarising. The reality is, you’ve got to believe in things passionately when you do a show like mine.
It brings the best out of you. My legacy is they are still debating the issue in the US and the needle has slightly moved on the argument.
I believe you received a number of death threats?
The gun lobby are powerful and menacing people. They will target anyone who they believe “infringe their rights” or in reality, infringe their
commercial ability to sell guns. Some of the death threats came via twitter but you mustn’t give them a moment’s thought. There is an
unpleasant streak running through the US gun lobby, where they are only interested in selling guns rather than saving lives. They have to
be stopped.
