KP - Portrait of a Rebel - The Biography of Kevin Pietersen

Kevin Pietersen is a renowned cricketing renegade and one of the greatest – and most controversial – cricketers of his generation. Born in South Africa in 1980 to an Afrikaner father and English mother, he made his first-class cricket debut at the age of 17. In 1999, while playing with KwaZulu Natal, he impressed former England captain Nasser Hussain and the following year signed for Nottinghamshire where he had a stunning debut season. He moved to Shane Warne's Hampshire in 2004 and went on to make his international debut the same year, soon becoming a cornerstone of the England side, and playing a key role in the thrilling victory in the 2005 Ashes. His England career looked in jeopardy however after his short, and extremely controversial, stint as England captain in 2008 ended in his sacking. But Pietersen, never one to be kept down for long, cemented his comeback with a series of wonderful performances that led to be being named the Player of the... Born in South Africa in 1980 to an Afrikaner father and English mother, he made his first-class cricket debut at the age of 17. In 1999, while playing with KwaZula Natal, he impressed former England captain Nasser Hussain and the following year signed for Nottinghamshire where he had a stunning debut season. He moved to Shane Warne's Hampshire in 2004 and went onto make his international debut the same year, soon becoming a cornerstone of the England side, and playing a key role in the thrilling victory in the 2005 Ashes. His England career looked in jeopardy however after his short, and extremely controversial, stint as England captain in 2008 ended in his sacking. But Pietersen, never one to be kept down for long, cemented his comeback with a series of wonderful performances that led to being named the Player of the Tournament in England's 2010 World Twenty20 win. Having left Hampshire for Surrey, Pietersen's career had another strange twist in the summer of 2012 when, amid a dismal home series against South Africa, he first retired from one-day internationals and was then dropped from the side for allegedly texting the opposition derogatory comments about his own team-mates. Kevin Pietersen is a renowned cricketing renegade and one of the greatest, and most controversial, cricketers of his generation. Finally back in the England fold, and fresh off a match-winning 186 in India, Pietersen looks in control once gain. But, with him, controversy is never more than a switch-hit away.--Provided by the publisher Kevin Pietersen is a renowned cricketing renegade and one of the greatest - and most controversial - cricketers of his generation.Born in South Africa in 1980 to an Afrikaner father and English mother, he made his first-class cricket debut at the age of 17. In 1999, while playing with KwaZulu Natal, he impressed former England captain Nasser Hussain and the following year signed for Nottinghamshire where he had a stunning debut season.He moved to Shane Warne's Hampshire in 2004 and went on to make his international debut the same year, soon becoming a cornerstone of the England side, and playing a key role in the thrilling victory in the 2005 Ashes. His England career looked in jeopardy however after his short, and extremely controversial, stint as England captain in 2008 ended in his sacking. But Pietersen, never one to be kept down for long, cemented his comeback with a series of wonderful performances that led to be being named the Player of the Tournament in England's 2010 World Twenty20 win.Having left Surrey, Pietersen's career had another strange twist in the summer of 2012 when, amid a dismal home series against South Africa, he first retired from one-day internationals and was then dropped from the side for allegedly texting the opposition derogatory comments about his own team-mates.Finally back in the England fold, and fresh off a match-winning 186 in India, Pietersen looks in control once again. But, with him, controversy is never more than a switch-hit away. "Born in South Africa in 1980 to an Afrikaner father and English mother, he made his first-class cricket debut at the age of 17. In 1999, while playing with KwaZula Natal, he impressed former England captain Nasser Hussain and the following year signed for Nottinghamshire where he had a stunning debut season. He moved to Shane Warne's Hampshire in 2004 and went onto make his international debut the same year, soon becoming a cornerstone of the England side, and playing a key role in the thrilling victory in the 2005 Ashes. His England career looked in jeopardy however after his short, and extremely controversial, stint as England captain in 2008 ended in his sacking. But Pietersen, never one to be kept down for long, cemented his comeback with a series of wonderful performances that led to being named the Player of the Tournament in England's 2010 World Twenty20 win. Having left Hampshire for Surrey, Pietersen's career had another strange twist in the summer of 2012 when, amid a dismal home series against South Africa, he first retired from one-day internationals and was then dropped from the side for allegedly texting the opposition derogatory comments about his own team-mates. Finally back in the England fold, and fresh off a match-winning 186 in India, Pietersen looks in control once gain. But, with him, controversy is never more than a switch-hit away."--Back cover Dublin boy Brian ODriscoll is an internationally admired rugby player and an Irish hero. Educated at Blackrock College, the alma mater of many Irish greats, his ambition was always to represent his country. After helping his country win the IRB under-19 World Championship and progressing through the under-21 ranks, ODriscoll finally realised his dream of representing his beloved Ireland at the senior level. Making his debut against Australia at the tender age of 20before hed even made his senior club debut for LeinsterODriscoll went on to establish himself as one of the top outside centers in the game. Made captain of his country in 2003, ODriscolls phenomenal record includes consecutive triple crowns in 2006 and 2007 and the RBS Six Nations player of the tournament for 2006 and 2007. His exemplary leadership skills and bravery saw him achieve the ultimate accolade for a home nations captaining the Lions for their 2005 tour of New Zealand. But his tour was to be cut short in a storm in acrimony and agony when his shoulder dislocated after a dangerous tackle. Nicknamed BOD by the Croke Park faithfuland in BOD they certainly do trustBrian ODriscoll is a true colossus of the game. This is the definitive portrait of the Irish legend. Cover; Title Page; CONTENTS; 1: A GOOD START IN LIFE; 2: THE HARDEST CHOICE OF ALL; 3: LEARNING THE HARD WAY; 4: MAKING THE GRADE; 5: HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS; 6: IN AT THE DEEP END; 7: LET BATTLE COMMENCE!; 8: AN EVENTFUL SUMMER; 9: A NATIONAL HERO; 10: BACK DOWN TO EARTH; 11: A CHALLENGING WINTER; 12: BEING THE BEST; 13: OLDER AND WISER; 14: THROWING IT ALL AWAY; 15: MOVING ON; 16: THE CONTROVERSIAL CAPTAIN; 17: THE AFTERMATH; 18: A FRUSTRATING YEAR; 19: DISAPPOINTMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA; 20: PERSONAL HIGHS, CRICKETING LOWS; 21: MIXED FORTUNES DOWN UNDER; 22: THE CRACKS BEGIN TO APPEAR 23: THE GULF WIDENS24: THINGS FALL APART; 25: BUILDING BRIDGES; Plates; About the Author; Copyright