Pietersen apologizes for sending 'provocative' texts to Proteas players

Zeenews Sports Bureau

New Delhi: England cricketer Kevin Pietersen on Wednesday apologised for sending "provocative" text messages to South African players ahead of the Lord’s Test. England Cricket Board had dropped him for the final Test after the right-hander failing to reveal the contents of those text messages which reportedly had ‘derogatory’ remarks about skipper Andrew Strauss and coach Andy Flower. The 32-year-old in an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) statement, admitted: "I did send what you might call provocative texts to my close friends in the SA team. The texts were meant as banter between close friends. I need to rein myself in sometimes. "I apologise to Straussy (England captain Andrew Strauss) and the team for the inappropriate remarks at the press conference and for the texts. Following his official apology, the team management however said that they still have to rethink about including him in the side for the Lord’s Test that begins on August 15.