Kevin Pietersen sent derogatory text messages about England captain Andrew Strauss to members of the opposing South African team during a Test match.
During the 2012 Test series between England and South Africa, it emerged that Kevin Pietersen had been sending text messages to members of the South African team that contained derogatory comments about England captain Andrew Strauss. The messages reportedly included advice on how to get Strauss out.
The revelation caused a massive rift in the England dressing room. Pietersen was dropped from the England squad and his central contract was suspended. He was required to make a public apology and undergo a "reintegration" process before being allowed back into the team. Strauss retired from cricket shortly afterwards.
The incident was part of a pattern of Pietersen clashing with the England cricket establishment. His relationship with the ECB and various coaches and captains was frequently strained. The text scandal was the most dramatic manifestation of these tensions and foreshadowed his permanent exile from England cricket in 2014. Pietersen maintained that the culture within the England dressing room was toxic and that he was unfairly scapegoated, while the ECB argued his behaviour was disruptive and disloyal.
Pietersen dropped from England squad, central contract suspended. Had to apologise and undergo reintegration. A key chapter in his eventual permanent exile.
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