England batsman Kevin Pietersen has reportedly slammed reports that team director and head coach Andy Flower was so fed up with the enigmatic batsman's attitude that he had issued a 'KP or him' ultimatum to selectors.
A British newspaper had reported that the tension was so great between the pair that Flower 'did not want the maverick batsman anywhere near the new era he wants to oversee'.
According to News.com.au, Pietersen personally attacked the journalist responsible for the story, Paul Newman, and accused him of reporting 'complete and utter lies', adding that he is 'shocked and saddened' by the reports concerning his future with England.
Pietersen reiterated his 'strong desire' to continue playing for his team and to help them regain the Ashes in 2015, following Newman's claims that 'disciplinary action' had been considered but held back until after the final Ashes Test and that there has been 'anger' at Pietersen's 'attitude' to warm-up games.
Flower, who has also denied the claims and England players have tried to establish an uneasy truce with Pietersen despite never forgiving him for sending inappropriate text messages to the South African team in 2012, the report added.
Broad, Prior coaxes 'suicidal' man against jumping off Sydney bridge
Meanwhile, English cricketers Matt Prior and Stuart Broad have reportedly helped prevent a suicidal man from jumping off a bridge in Sydney.
Police said that they were called early Wednesday morning with reports that a man was on the edge of the railing of the Pyrmont Bridge, holding on to a flagpole and confirmed that the callers were Broad and Prior, although the officers who attended were unaware who they were.
According to Telegraph.com.au, police said that both the cricketers witnessed the man, believed to be from England, throw a number of items, including his passport and wallet, into the water and make comments which have caused them to have concern for his safety, and they coaxed him down and stayed with him until police arrived.
The report mentioned that Prior and Broad, who had been attending a Barmy Army charity event nearby, talked to the man for nearly an hour before police arrived, with Prior, who pulled the man back, saying that he is glad that they left the event and were there to help the man.
