New Delhi: England team director Andy Flower has slammed spinner Graeme Swann for the poor timing of his autobiography “The Breaks Are Off” which is being serialised in an English daily, saying he was opposed to current players coming out with such works.
“I personally don’t think that it’s a good idea for current players to be talking about their fellow players. The written word does come across very, very differently – when you can’t judge a person’s tone – and particularly with Swann’s words, that is an accurate and important point,” The Daily Telegraph quoted Flower as saying.
He also said relationship between Kevin Pietersen and Graeme Swann was fine despite some adverse comments made by the spinner in his book.
The book contains a series of Swann’s personal opinions about his fellow team mates – including his contention that Pietersen was not the right choice as England captain in 2008 and 2009.
The former Zimbabwe captain said the issue has been handled well and praised the 31-year-old Pietersen for reacting to the situation in a matured way.
“It’s all been handled in-house – without many problems. Pietersen and Swann get on well, and I think Pietersen has handled it very maturely,” said Flower.
Flower asserted that Pietersen is an important member of the team and he expects him to let his bat do the talking in the remaining four one-dayers in India. Pietersen was run out for 19 in England’s 126-run defeat in the opening match in Hyderabad.
“When Kevin was competing in the game any comments in a book had no place in his mind,” The Mirror quoted Flower as saying. (IANS)
