Pietersen Stabbed In Back?

Wickman has no inside track on the England situation but a couple of things have stuck in his mind over the last few days.

First - watch the Strauss and Flintoff interviews which were given immediately following the announcement that KP had got the job. Neither of them is overjoyed. And they hardly give him a ringing endorsement.

Add to this the Harmision interview a couple of days ago. It's a thinly disguised two fingers to Pietersen essentially telling him that Harmison doesn't give a monkeys one way or the other who's in charge.

It doesn't look much like any of the three much cared for their skipper then or probably now. At the beginning of his reign it looks like KP had a divided dressing room and nothing changed in the six months he had in charge.

So: Strauss never wanted the guy. Harmison and Flintoff are part of the side that gets embarrassed by Stanford. Clearly not a happy time. H & F were last on the plane to India (let's face it when are they ever happy to be touring) - we can only guess what arm twisting tactics KP used to get them there. KP drops Harmison for the 2nd test having dragged him on the tour. Hugh Morris makes a few calls and the gig's up.

Oh to be a fly on the wall in the dressing room during the first test in WI...