England's Pietersen fined for Twitter comments

24 May 2012, 10:26 am   -   Source: Reuters
England's Kevin Pietersen gestures during a training session at the ICC Global cricket academy before the third cricket test match against Pakistan in Dubai, United Arab Emirates February 1, 2012. REUTERS/Philip Brown

England's Kevin Pietersen gestures during a training session at the ICC Global cricket academy before the third cricket test match against Pakistan in Dubai, United Arab Emirates February 1, 2012. REUTERS/Philip Brown

The South African-born batsman has more than 600,000 followers on the social media site and has used the platform to deride the same commentator, former England opener Nick Knight, twice in the last year.

The South African-born batsman has more than 600,000 followers on the social media site and has used the platform to deride the same commentator, former England opener Nick Knight, twice in the last year.

Pietersen was summoned to a disciplinary hearing with ECB chief Hugh Morris and England coach Andy Flower on Wednesday, where the fine was handed down.

"The hearing considered recent comments made by Pietersen on Twitter to be prejudicial to the interests of the ECB and a breach of the England player conditions of employment in relation to clauses regarding public statements," the ECB said in a statement.

"Pietersen has been fined an undisclosed sum, part of which has been suspended for 12 months, in accordance with the terms and conditions of his England central contract."

Pietersen's latest comment came during the first test against West Indies at Lords, which England won by five wickets on Monday.

"Can somebody PLEASE tell me how Nick Knight has worked his way into the commentary box for Home Tests?? RIDICULOUS!!," he tweeted (twitter.com/#!/kevinpp24).

The second test begins at Trent Bridge, Nottingham on Friday.

(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes)

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