Kevin Pietersen: Test cricket is not a game for girls
Kevin Pietersen risks angering England's all-conquering female cricketers by saying game is 'not for girls'
Thursday, 18, Mar 2010 03:05
By Matthew Champion.
Another England apology may be forthcoming after Kevin Pietersen risked angering the country's all-conquering female cricketers by defending his team's attitude in Bangladesh with the words "it's a man's game".
Graeme Swann and Stuart Broad both apologised for separate infractions during the victorious first Test in Chittagong.
Ten-wicket hero Swann "apologised unreservedly" for swearing at Junaid Siddique after dismissing him in the second innings, while seamer Broad similarly said sorry when he celebrated a successful lbw appeal against Abdur Razzak without looking at the umpire first.
But Pietersen defended his team-mates action after the 181-run win in the two-match series opener, saying cricket was "not for girls".
"It's a man's game this, it's not a game for girls - especially when you're playing Test match cricket," he said to Sky Sports.
"You go to the Ashes, I was christened in international cricket and believe me I got a lot worse in my first Ashes series against those Australians than anything we've chucked at the Bangladeshis out here.
"So I'd say it's an absolute load of nonsense they way the boys have been made out to be because I think they've been brilliant.
"We haven't crossed the line and I think they boys have been fantastic in everything they've done.
"I think it's been brilliant and we need more of that, we need to stand up for ourselves and toughen up and not just be a walk-over in any conditions and this stands us in good stead for the winter next year."
England's female cricketers are the best in the world having won the World Cup, Twenty20 World Championship and the Ashes in the last 12 months.
Last year their stars batsmen Claire Taylor made history when she was named by cricketing bible Wisden as one of the top five players of the year.
Pietersen meanwhile will be hoping to continue his return to form in the deciding Test match in Dhaka, which starts on Saturday, having struck 99 and 32 in Chittagong.