KP Texts 'Acceptable' Banter Between Team Mates - CSA

KP Texts 'Acceptable' Banter Between Team Mates - CSA

Kevin Pietersen's text messages were, according to Cricket South Africa, acceptable banter between team-mates

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Cricket South Africa (CSA) Team Manager Dr Mohammad Moosajee has released a statement distancing his team from the Kevin Pietersen text message controversy.

Pietersen has been left out of England's Test squad for the third and final game at Lord's amid allegations that he sent text messages criticising England players and management staff to South African players during the second Test at Headingley.

It has been widely speculated that the recipients of those text messages were Dale Steyn and AB de Villiers, former team-mates of Pietersen in the Indian Premier League.

However, while Moosajee revealed that this speculation was unfounded, he called the messages 'banter amongst team-mates.'

"There have been untruthful allegations in the media implicating members of our squad in the current issue between Kevin Pietersen and the ECB. We stand by the same stance we have taken since we heard news about the allegations," he said.

"Text messages were sent, but like we said before it was banter amongst team mates, which we feel is perfectly acceptable.

"The ECB has not made a formal approach to myself (Dr Mohammed Moosajee) or any member of the team to see the text messages as  is currently being reported in the media.

"Allegations that Dale Steyn and AB de Villiers were the recipients of the texts are unfounded, and until such time that the allegations are met with the correct facts and evidence, we shall not comment. 

"This internal issue between Kevin Pietersen and the ECB has been publicised for weeks even before we even arrived in the UK, and we do not want to get ourselves involved in an issue that has nothing to do with us.

"This is the last time that management or the players will comment on the issue and our focus moving on is the team’s preparation and how we plan to go about winning the next Test match at Lord’s."

While Steyn and AB de Villiers are former team-mates of Pietersen, the only current member of the Test squad who is also a Daredevils player is fast bowler Morne Morkel.

Batsman Jacques Rudolph, however, is contracted to Surrey - Pietersen's county.

© Cricket World 2012