Pietersen Dropped for Lord's Test

England cricket selectors have left out Kevin Pietersen from the deciding test match with South Africa at Lord's. He has been replaced by Jonny Bairstow in a sensational day for the England Cricket Team.....

Pietersen had released a video this weekend, stating that he would like to commit to all forms of the game for England, but the ECB have taken the view that players and the backroom staff for England, are fed up with dealing with just one man in the side.

The Pietersen issue has seen so much focus on him, and him alone, that the current series with South Africa is almost like a side issue.

It was reported, that the squad for Lord's was delayed for 24 hours, as the selection committee were waiting on Pietersen explaining text messages sent to certain South African's in and around the Headingley test match. None of these were sent during play of course, given that mobiles are handed in prior to each days play, due to anti-corruption rulings.

However, with no choice given the talk that KP had allegedly sent some poor comments about coach Andy Flower and captain Andrew Strauss, and the explanation as to the contents of the texts, the ECB have decided to leave out Kevin Pietersen for the final test match.

It allows Bairstow another chance at international level, and it will be interesting to see the South African tactics to the youngster, given how roughed up the Yorkshirman was by West Indies Kemar Roach, in the recent series in England.