The appointment of Kevin Pietersen as England Captain for both test and One Day International matches, following the resignation of Michael Vaughan has caused much eyebrow raising and controversy among cricket betting enthusiasts, hard-line cricket fans and commentators alike. That we have to resort a South African in the absence of a suitable English candidate itself underlines the fundamental problem Pietersen will have to address – the crisis which exists in English cricket today.

Disastrous or Great Appointment ?

There appears to have been a lengthy meeting between England coach, Peter Moores and Pietersen prior to the announcement. Rumour has it that Pietersen stated in no uncertain terms, that, if he was to take the job he would want to run things his way. So concerned were they that he not reject the offer, it looks like the South African will rule the roost and project his authority, not just on the style of play but on the selection process as well.

Some say it is a disastrous decision to take the best player in the team and burden him with a responsibility that may undermine his focus on run-making. People point to Vaughan when they say this, forgetting that there was a time when he was an inspirational captain and a top-scorer. Others might think Pietersen a bit vain and self-serving; too concerned about how others see him.

My own feeling is that he is a strong and determined character and his vanity could well turn out to be his strength. He is a great cricketing thinker as well as a brilliant, intuitive and self-confident batsman who, according to the South African coach, Mickey Arthur, will thrive on the challenge. Sports betting fans will relish the thought of him taking this task on and showing the likes of South African captain Graeme Smith, who had the job thrust upon him at the age of 22, following the departure of Hanse Cronje, that he can do the job every bit as well and maybe better.