Kevin Pietersen’s prodigal return, County Championship begins, and all eyes on Sunil Narine

"Yes it is a thought in my head," Kevin Pietersen said just before he began another stint in the Indian Premier League (IPL), the kind of stint that may end up defining his late career.

That thought is one that, if it ever materialises, will not be as incongruous as the manner in which he said it.

Concerning as it does his chances of playing international cricket for South Africa, imagine the ruckus if it were ever to come to that? It is still a very distant prospect, given that he will not qualify until 2017 in the first place, when he will be 37.

And Faf du Plessis, South Africa’s T20 captain, has played down the idea by saying his team would feel that Pietersen is “English”.

But it tells you how much Pietersen misses international cricket – not just the spotlight or acclaim, which he can get in some leagues, but the chance to represent a country.

Given South Africa’s decline this year, du Plessis’s pithy dismissal may look less pithy one year from now.

Win the toss and whatever

The English County Championship season began on Sunday in pioneering fashion. Four visiting captains decided to take up the option of sending the home side into bat first, without a toss even taking place.

Only in one of the matches, between Essex and Gloucestershire, did the visiting captain choose to have a toss instead, which he duly won and decided to bat first.

The new, radical regulations are in place after growing fears about the state of pitches across the country. Too often, county pitches have been too green and designed to aid the home’s faster bowlers.

That, say proponents, has eroded the quality of batsmanship and provided superficial aid to fast bowlers.

England is hoping it has a positive effect on spinning resources in the country as well. Is it too radical a step? Would more stringency in punishing poor pitches not be better? Does it feel a little too manufactured?

Maybe.

But there can be no doubting the intention behind England’s thinking, proof again that the county set-up is among the world’s best domestic systems.

Welcome back Sunil Narine

Not immediately, but at some point during the ninth season of the IPL, we will send out a small cheer for the return of Sunil Narine.

He has been out of commission since being suspended for an illegal bowling action last November. He has since re-modeled his action and cleared an International Cricket Council (ICC) test last week.

He was in Kolkata last week, ahead of the World Twenty20 final between his countrymen and England in the same city, but the sudden death of his father forced him to return home.

That means he will miss Kolkata Knight Riders’ opening game at least. But when he does return, all eyes will be on him.

Until the ICC’s clampdown on actions, Narine was, with Saeed Ajmal, the world’s leading spinning force. Since then, he has faded and how effective he will be with a new action will be a primary point of focus.

osamiuddin@thenational.ae

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