Pietersen jibe on Taylor holds up talks with Strauss

London: England skipper Andrew Strauss is in no hurry to meet Kevin Pietersen, after the disgruntled batsman’s conduct came under further scrutiny when he was accused of making derogatory comments about debutant James Taylor during the Headingley Test, where his relationship with England reached breaking point.

Strauss returned from a family holiday in Spain on Sunday to find more Pietersen revelations in the press. Pietersen exchanged angry words with a senior player, after criticising Taylor and boasting of his own importance to England during his brilliant 149 in Leeds. Another newcomer to the dressing room described the atmosphere within it now as ‘fantastic’. Taylor, who is just 5ft 4in tall, shared a 147-run partnership with Pietersen against South Africa at Headingley, making 34. The latest damaging revelations will only increase England’s hardline stance towards Pietersen as they take the first step in what is likely to be a long road towards reconciliation. Later that day, according to Sunday’s People newspaper, Pietersen launched into a tirade, which precipitated the text scandal that now threatens his international future. Pietersen will need to satisfy Strauss if he really wants to play for England again. England continued their business without Pietersen on Sunday when they began the build-up to Tuesday’s second one-day international against South Africa at Southampton’s Ageas Bowl. ANI