Andrew Flintoff asks ECB, Pietersen to ‘get in a room, sort it out and move on’

London: Former all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has advised Kevin Pietersen and the England and Wales Cricket board to “sort it out and move on” after another controversial week.

The South African-born Pietersen caused a shock at the end of the drawn second Test against South Africa on Monday by saying he would announce whether he was standing down after the third and final match against the tourists later this month. He had also explained that he did not really want to quit Twenty20 internationals but his England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) contract did not allow him to pick and choose between 50 and 20-over cricket. The issue is sure to dominate the build-up to the Lord’s Test England must win if they are to remain ahead of the Proteas at the top of the International Cricket Council Test rankings, The Telegraph reports. London: Former all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has advised Kevin Pietersen and the England and Wales Cricket board to “sort it out and move on” after another controversial week. The South African-born Pietersen caused a shock at the end of the drawn second Test against South Africa on Monday by saying he would announce whether he was standing down after the third and final match against the tourists later this month. He had also explained that he did not really want to quit Twenty20 internationals but his England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) contract did not allow him to pick and choose between 50 and 20-over cricket. The issue is sure to dominate the build-up to the Lord’s Test England must win if they are to remain ahead of the Proteas at the top of the International Cricket Council Test rankings, The Telegraph reports. Flintoff said: “I suppose it’s up to the ECB and Kevin to sort it out. They need to get in a room, sort it out and move on because I imagine Andy Flower and his team want it resolved. Any side with Kevin Pietersen in it is a better side, whether that’s the one-day side, Twenty20 or the Test side.” Pietersen has already retired from limited-overs internationals owing to concerns over England’s relentless schedule and he is known to be keen on a full season in the Indian Premier League. Flint off said: “For me Test cricket was the ultimate format of the game - you can have your IPL and Twenty20 but having success in Test cricket, and the satisfaction of performing well as a player within the Test team, was the ultimate. It’s an honour to play for your country, I wish I was still able to do that.” Reports have also suggested that the relationship between Pietersen and some of his colleagues in the England dressing room is among the “obstacles” he admitted must be overcome if he is to remain an international cricketer. ANI