Stanford cash clash reserves 'will take it on chin'

Kevin Pietersen: will skipper England in the controversial match
13 April 2012

Peter Moores expects four England cricketers to "take it on the chin" when they learn they are not playing in next month's £10million match in Antigua.

Head coach Moores and captain Kevin Pietersen will make the final decision over which members of their 15-man squad sit out the Twenty20 game against Sir Allen Stanford's Superstars on 1 November.

If England win, the four reserves will share around £500,000; good money but less than a quarter of the £575,000 which Pietersen (below) and each of his 10 on-field team-mates are set to pocket. The scope for envy is obvious but Moores does not foresee any problems

"The first job for people was to try to get into that squad," he said at an event to celebrate the renewal of Sky Sports's backing of the ECB coaching education scheme.

"The next job is to try to get into the team. If they don't get in I think they'll take it on the chin. Well, I know they will.

"Sportsmen get used to it. There's a lot up for grabs all the time and people get paid differently. The player's job, and the coach's job, is to prepare properly to win that game."

What about telling the unlucky four they have missed out? "I see it as no different because I know I'll have been fair in the selection process," said Moores. "KP and I will pick the XI we think will win the game."

Spin bowler Monty Panesar, who is not involved in the Stanford games, aims to spend a month playing club cricket in Sri Lanka to prepare for England's two-Test series against India this December.

"It is a great opportunity for him," said Moores. "He's been to Sri Lanka before and he knows conditions are tough. He will lean a lot over there."

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