Sportsday - rolling sports news

1. Reaction as Juventus reach Champions League final
2. Italian side to face Barcelona in Berlin on 6 June
3. Pietersen to miss India Premier League
4. COMING UP: Burnley, West Ham news conferences
5. GET INVOLVED: Have your say #bbcsportsday

Night all

Right, time for us to dash for coming right up is live text commentary of tonight's big game - Bayern Munich v Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final.

Bayern are 3-0 down from the first leg at the Nou Camp and face a giant task if they're to turn things around.

Whatever the outcome, it should be a cracking contest between two of the finest sides in Europe.

Enjoy - and we'll see you for another edition of Sportsday tomorrow from 08:00.

Headlines

So, as a busy Sportsday nears its end, here's what has been making the headlines:

Cricket: Kevin Pietersen will not play for England this summer after director of cricket Andrew Strauss said there was a "massive trust issue" between the two.

Football: Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has told Gareth Bale's agent to "stay quiet" after he suggested the forward's team-mates did not pass to him enough.

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Tennis: Andy Murray will look to extend his clay-court winning streak at the Italian Open after confirming he will play in the tournament on Wednesday.

Football: Chelsea's Eden Hazard has been voted the Football Writers' Association player of the year, adding to the PFA award he won in April.

'Bloodgate' scandal player to retire

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Rugby union news now and Harlequins winger Tom Williams will retire from playing at the end of the season and join the club's academy coaching staff.

Williams served a four-month ban in 2009 for his part in the 'Bloodgate' scandal in which he used a fake blood capsule to allow Nick Evans to come back onto the field.

The 31-year-old has scored 65 tries in 214 appearances since making his senior debut for Quins in 2004.

"It is with a heavy heart that I have to announce that my playing time with Harlequins is over," he said.

Formula 1

"The Spanish Grand Prix was not exactly the most exciting Formula 1 race there has ever been, and that has inevitably revived the debate about whether F1 needs some form of surgery to recover some magic.

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"This is a hot topic in F1 - the teams are meeting this week for the latest discussions over whether to change the rules for 2017 to make the cars more exciting and spectacular."

So starts the latest BBC column by former F1 driver David Coulthard.

It's good stuff - you'll find the full thing here.

Kevin Pietersen - England or not?

Last set of comments on KP.

Alex Younger: You all say omitting Pietersen means we are going to lose vs Aus. Decision has been made, let's focus on the group we have.

Karen Lynch: Pietersen was naive to think he could walk back into the side after all the dirt he dished in his book.

Andrew Lamb: What will be said if Leics CCC build a decent lead, then skittle Surrey (including KP)?

Indeed Andrew. On that bombshell, thanks for joining in today - your efforts are very much appreciated.

Football gossip

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Daily Mail: Serie A side Lazio are considering a move for Liverpool striker Fabio Borini. The Reds wanted £12m for the 24-year-old but may accept less.

Boxing

The Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao super-fight shattered the previous record for total pay-per-view buys and now ranks as the highest-grossing pay-per-view of all time.

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According to TopRank and HBO, initial reports indicate that the event generated more than 4.4 million US buys and more than $400 million in domestic pay-per-view revenue alone.

With additional revenue from the live gate at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, international television distribution, sponsorships, closed circuit and merchandise sales, the event is expected to generate in excess of $500 million in gross worldwide receipts.

Wowzers.

O's still training after season's end

This is a bit like finishing a day's work but, just as you're about to nip to the pub, being ordered back to the office for another shift.

Other

What are we on about? Well, according to our colleagues atBBC London 94.9, Leyton Orient's players are still having to report for training - despite ending their campaign on 3 May.

The O's were relegated from League One after finishing the season with a seven-game winless run.

"Season's finished, there's no more games, yet were in training Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs till the 24th May," Orient forward Shaun Batt tweeted.

The east London club have declined to comment.

Football

Not long to go till tonight's big game between Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

And we can guarantee those sick to the back teeth of all-things Kevin Pietersen, that there will be absolutely no mention of him during the live text commentary on the BBC Sport website ... well, not unless there's a hell of a surprise in the team selection.

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Trailing 3-0 from the first leg of the semi-final, Bayern still believe they can pull off one of football's great Champions League comebacks, with frontman Thomas Muller saying "we all know it's a mammoth task, but we haven't given up on it".

Striker Robert Lewandowski added: "We have to give everything we've got. We've shown often enough what we're capable of here in Munich. It's not over yet and we'll battle to the end."

Barcelona, meanwhile, are chasing a club-record 48th win of the season in all competitions.

All we can say is good luck Bayern - you're going to need it.

Football

Manager Garry Monk says he is "not scared" of Swansea City qualifying for the Europa League next season.

The Swans are within a point of seventh-placed Southampton after their 1-0 win over Arsenal at the Emirates - and finishing the season seventh could earn qualification to Europe's second tier tournament if the Gunners beat Aston Villa in the FA Cup final.

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"I don't think we're scared about going in to that," said Monk, whose team lost in the last 32 in 2013-14. "We had a great experience last season in that, we really enjoyed it.

"I know people talk about how it can affect your league form and we'll have to deal with it if we're in there."

Football

Dick Advocaat says that Sunderland will be his last job in football management.

But, the little tease. he has refused to say whether or not he will stay with the Black Cats next season.

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"This is my last job," Advocaat told the Sunderland Echo. "I have had a great career and have won a lot of prizes and I am really enjoying what I am doing now. Hopefully we stay up."

Advocaat joked that his wife would divorce him if he stayed in football much longer.

Rugby League

Now, everybody, this is why we should never argue. Especially on a sports field. In the middle of a match.

Widnes' Aaron Heremaia could barely believe his luck when he was able to score unopposed during Viking's 38-24 victory over Leeds Rhinos.

BBC Sport

Two Leeds players got involved in an on-pitch argument with their opponents - leaving Heremaia a clear run for the try.

You can see the video here - it's unreal.

Football

The father of a Belgian footballer who died following a cardiac arrest has thanked his club for staging a tribute to the 23-year-old.

Beerschot Wilrijk

Over 2,000 people attended a service for Tim Nicot at Wilrijk-Beerschot's stadium on Monday, many laying flowers and signing a book of condolence.

"This is overwhelming," said Alain Nicot. "Tim was incredibly proud that he played for this club."

Nicot was playing in a tournament in Hemiksem when he collapsed on Saturday.

Rugby League

St Helens will be without their influential scrum-half Luke Walsh for at least a month after he underwent minor ankle surgery.

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The Australian playmaker, who turns 28 today, suffered the injury during Saints' 33-26 Super League defeat by Catalans Dragons in Perpignan on Saturday and has already had the surgery.

Walsh, in his second season in Super League, was only five weeks into his comeback from an eight-month lay-off with a broken leg and ankle injury.

Middlesex beat Sussex to stay top

Middlesex 269 & 209 beat Sussex 192 & 207 by 79 runs(Scorecard)(Match report)

Middlesex remain top of Division One of the County Championship after beating Sussex by 79 runs at Hove.

Steven Finn and Neil Dexter both took four wickets for Middlesex, as the hosts failed to capitalise on a position of promise at 91-1 chasing 287 to win.

Kevin Pietersen - England or not?

Darren Lewis: Whether you pick KP isn't the key issue here. It's fact that Graves said one thing and now ECB has done another! Trust?!

CharlieB-Sutton: No trust? KP has done everything the ECB has asked yet Strauss has the audacity to claim it is a trust issue.

Harry G Henderson: Seems like England cricket is taking a leaf out of Newcastle FC's management book. Mismanagement everywhere.

Alan Taylor: Picking KP would've been win-win for Strauss. If he failed? We tried. Succeed? England win again.

Tennis

Defending champion Novak Djokovic returned to action after a three-week break today and, you will not be too shocked to learn, beat Spain's Nicolas Almagro at the Italian Open.

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The world number one, who missed last week's Madrid Open to rest, beat Almagro 6-1 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 in Rome.

He will next face another Spaniard, Roberto Bautista Agut.

Road Cycling

BBC Sport's cycling correspondent Matt Slater at the Giro d'Italia: "Flat-out racing from the gun, almost every gambit in the big book of cycling tactics, stunning weather, beautiful scenery, a solo win for a new Italian star and a third different Australian race leader in three days - I think it would be fair to say that it was a decent day at the Giro.

"The scene at the finish was a mixture of joy, surprise and exhaustion.

"The race says goodbye to Liguria now and heads south to Tuscany. It could do with a nice lie-down, it won't get one. Wednesday finishes with a 10% average gradient for 18km. Ouch."

And to finish, a very arty, slightly weird photograph from today's stage, of Team Sky's Richie Porte.

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Football

Jay Rodriguez has ended speculation about his future by signing a new contract with Southampton that ties him to the Premier League club until 2019.

A ruptured cruciate ligament has kept the 25-year-old striker on the sidelines for more than a year, but several of Saints' top-flight rivals had been linked with a move for Rodriguez, whose current contract only had a year to run.

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Manager Ronald Koeman told the club's website: "It's very good news for the club because there was some speculation about Jay and interest from other big clubs.

"So it is a compliment to the club that we have an agreement with Jay. He is close to being back and that is already good news for everyone."

Football gossip

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Liverpool are preparing a move for Burnley's Danny Ings, 22, following the Clarets' relegation from the Premier League - and the striker sees Anfield as his best option, despite offers from a host of other clubs, both in England and abroad, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Cricket

Not bored of Kevin Pietersen yet? Really. You must be mad.

But actually, there's reason not to be, for BBC Sport's Tom Fordyce has written a brilliant feature which sums up the whole saga.

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Here's a sample: "That Pietersen outflanked Strauss on Monday with that extraordinary innings at the Oval made you almost feel sympathetic. A glance at the watch. Five hours to go until the rendez-vous. Kevin's on 50-odd? No problem.

"Four hours. 100. Three hours. 200. Time to polish the shoes. What do you mean, he's scored a triple century?

"It was the equivalent of rehearsing your best break-up line only to get a text from the soon-to-be ex saying that they can't wait to see you, that they love you so much, and that they have been looking at some holiday brochures for the summer after next."

It's great stuff - you'll find it here.

Kevin Pietersen - England or not?

Tim Nightingale: Alec Stewart diplomatic about KP but read between the lines and he feels Strauss is wrong and should be accountable in future.

Peter W: KP should play. But focus should be on the boring ECB, boring Strauss (just listen to his commentary!) and boring Cook.

Neil Foot: Can only assume Michael Vaughan was told "no KP" thus not going for the job himself? Hands tied and wouldn't be a yes man.

Keith Andrews: And when we lose the Ashes, Strauss will be there to say 'Its ok Cookey, your job's safe with me at the helm'.

Football

A little more on Jack Grealish's decision to reject a call-up to Martin O'Neill's latest Republic of Ireland squad.

O'Neill has admitted he is disappointed but says he did not consider it a snub.

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"I don't take it personally. I think Jack is pretty firm in what he wants to do and that's fine," said O'Neill.

As long as Grealish remains uncapped by Ireland, there is the possibility that Roy Hodgson could persuade him that his international future could lie with England.

Asked about it, O'Neill was not to be drawn on the subject. "I've no idea about that, you'll have to ask Roy," he said.

Football gossip

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Liverpool have been scouting Real Sociedad defender Inigo Martinez, 23, and are prepared to pay his £21.7m release clause, reports the Daily Star.

Wood best helps Durham secure win

Durham 163 & 261-4 beat Notts 245 & 178 by six wickets(Scorecard)(Match report)

Durham beat Nottinghamshire by six wickets to secure their third Championship win of 2015 and continue their good start to the season.

Nightwatchman Mark Wood (66) hit his highest first-class score as he put on 116 for the second wicket with Keaton Jennings (61).

Michael Richardson (51 not out) saw the hosts home as they completed a three-day win, leaving Notts still without a victory in Division One this season.

Kevin Pietersen - England or not?

Right, there has been no mention of Kevin Pietersen for, ooh, at least 57 seconds now, so let's have a few more of your views on whether or not he should get an England recall (even though it seems he won't).

Ollie Tapscott: As an England cricket fan who cares only about on-pitch success, I want to see KP play. But if I was ECB Director, I wouldn't.

Rashid Jamil: A player of KP's class and abilities should not be treated so shabbily. Trust his abilities if not him.

Paul Collins: Don't blame the ECB or Strauss etc. KP cost himself his England chance by those texts and then that book. Traitor.

And next some sage advice...

Joe Cohen: Kevin Prince Boateng sacked yesterday, Kevin Pietersen kept out today - all the Kevin Ps out there, start with that insurance!

Game on

Russell Fuller

BBC tennis correspondent on Radio 5 live sports extra

"Andy Murray has just announced he will play in the Rome Masters.

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Jeremy Chardy of France will be his second round opponent (Murray got a bye in the first round). They will play tomorrow .. order of play still to be confirmed."

Rugby Union

O'Shea said the fact that Mike Brown had "turned the corner is the news that we have all been waiting for, so it's now just a matter of letting him build up".

"He can have a good off-season, a good pre-season, and be ready for the World Cup and hopefully for us in November. We'll just wish him well on the way to the World Cup," added O'Shea.

Explaining how Brown had been feeling, O'Shea said: "Mike has been suffering with concussion symptoms up to really last week - but towards the tail end of last week he turned the corner ... and has been doing some weights and running with no ill-effects."

Rugby Union

Harlequins director of rugby Conor O'Shea has spoken to Radio 5 live about the health of England full-back Mike Brown.

The 29-year-old - expected to be one of the standout players in Stuart Lancaster's England side at this year's World Cup - was knocked out playing for England against Italy in February, and hasn't featured for his country and Harlequins since.

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Brown had been experiencing regular headaches, but O'Shea says he is now undergoing light exercise and has been symptom-free for the past week or so.

"He's run now and has suffered no reaction, so it's taken a while but it looks like he has turned the corner and is out the other side, which is good news," O'Shea said.

Road Cycling

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Italian Davide Formolo capped a daring solo attack with victory on the fourth stage of the Giro d'Italia on Tuesday, when Australian Simon Clarke took over the race lead from Orica team-mate Michael Matthews.

Formolo finished the 150km ride from Chiavari to La Spezia in a time of 3hr 47min 59sec, just 22 seconds ahead of a small group of chasers - including race favourites Alberto Contador and Richie Porte.

Cricket

Asked about Kevin Pietersen's plans for the remainder of the summer, Alec Stewart said: "Kevin will be going to the IPL on Friday, as we always knew would be the case.

"He'll be there for the knockout stages, then he'll come back, and if he still has appetite to score runs for us, then he'll play in our last two games at Surrey.

"We hope he does that."

Cricket

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More from former England skipper Alec Stewart on Kevin Pietersen...

"Kevin has given up £250,000 on the back of Colin Grave's comments. He did that to force his way back into the England team," Stewart said. "He brought that book out, which didn't go down well and I can understand that. He believed his career was over.

"Since Colin Graves made those comments six Sundays ago on the Garry Richardson show, and then has had two phonecalls with KP since, saying come and score runs in county cricket and there's a chance... well KP has done that. So that word trust is maybe a two-way thing."

Pietersen reached an agreement with IPL side Sunrisers Hyderabad to miss their league fixtures in the competition in order to play fro Surrey.

Reaction to Strauss on Pietersen

From Ciaran in Bath: I think that Pietersen-gate is nothing more than a distracting melodrama. The real issue facing England at the moment is their inability to take the 20 wickets needed to win a test match.

Stevie C: The abuse being hurled at the ECB, Strauss,the Captain and other players by KP supporters is fully indicative of how divisive his mere presence is. Add that to how many ways the Aussies have found to get him out, usually by playing on his ego which he just can't help himself on, and clearly Strauss has taken exactly the right decision.

Sam from Leicester: Forget that KP isn't in the ECB's plans for a minute. Who would he replace? The current number 3, 4, 5 are the first names anybody would put on the team sheet.

Cricket

Kevin Pietersen is likely to have played his last ever game for England, according to Alec Stewart, director of cricket at Surrey.

Stewart told Sky Sports News: "I can only speak in good terms about how Kevin has done for us at Surrey. But Andrew Strauss has made that decision and we all have to respect it whether we agree with it or not."

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Stewart described Pietersen's 355 not out for Surrey against Leicestershire as "one of the best innings I have ever seen".

"It was what was riding on his innings - first of all the situation in the game, and then his England career, knowing he had that meeting last night.

"So it was unbelievable batting, and he is probably the only player in world cricket who could do it. He scored almost 300 runs in a day.

"I hope it's not the last first innings we've seen - but I think we've seen him in an England shirt for the last time."

Pujara nears Yorkshire century

BBC Radio Solent's Kevan James at Headingley:

Yorkshire 370 & 219-4, Hampshire 227 (Scorecard)

"Cheteshwar Pujara hit an unbeaten 92, his highest score for Yorkshire, and added 130 for the fourth wicket with Johnny Bairstow (59) to put the Tykes in complete control with a lead of 362.

"The only question now is when Yorkshire will declare? Will it be well before the close of play, just before, to give Hants a tricky few overs on a slow pitch, or overnight?"

Cricket

Former England international Alex Tudor has just been on BBC Radio 5 Live, discussing Kevin Pietersen, who has been told he will not be selected by the national side this summer because of "trust issues". Here is what Tudor had to say...

"He has done everything the ECB has asked. He has even come back and scored runs. On the day he has the meeting he goes out and scores 326. But I think the decision was made long ago. Kevin is not for them and they are going to move on.

"I have not seen anything on social media from ex-players... they all think it is crazy. I'm slightly old school and grew up in a difficult changing room. We had mavericks but people pulled them up and wouldn't let a situation get far.

"There are players of the generation who played with him before still in the England dressing room but I'm sure if the new guys were asked if they would like Kevin Pietersen in their side they would say yes."

Kent taking control

BBC Radio Wales Sport's Nick Webb at Canterbury:

Kent 357 & 228-5, Glamorgan 281 (Scorecard)

"Kent reached tea against Glamorgan on 228-5, already an impressive lead of 304 runs, with the visitors facing a big chase on the final day.

"Joe Denly with 66, nightwatchman James Tredwell with 53 and ex-West Indies batsman Brendan Nash with 45 all contributed useful runs.

"Glamorgan again relied on Aussie paceman Michael Hogan to peg back the Kent advance as he claimed three wickets."

Yardy loss a blow to Sussex

BBC London 94.9's Kevin Hand at Hove:

Middlesex 269 & 209, Sussex 192 & 147-6 (Scorecard)

"Middlesex look to have struck the decisive blow in taking the wicket of Michael Yardy with the last ball before tea on day three, leaving Sussex 147-6 in pursuit of 287.

"Neil Dexter's medium pace has taken four wickets in the session, including that of Yardy, who is the only man in the match so far to reach 50.

"The pitch has behaved better in this innings than at any other stage of the match but even Dexter's pace has found inconsistent bounce from the cracked surface.

"If Middlesex do claim the win, it would be their third victory in their opening four matches."

Openers star for Derbyshire

Derbyshire 343 & 281-3, Northants 324 (Scorecard)

Derbyshire's openers have given their side an excellent platform against Northants.

Chesney Hughes (104) and Ben Slater (94) put on 205 for the first wicket, and at tea Derbyshire are 281-3 in their second innings, 300 runs ahead.

Durham close in on victory

BBC Newcastle's Martin Emmerson at Chester-le-Street:

Notts 245 & 178, Durham 163 & 240-4 (Scorecard)

"What a difference a day makes. Eighteen wickets fell yesterday, but today calmness prevails and with it Durham are on the verge of another win, their fifth in six matches against Notts.

"At tea they are 240-4 and need another 21 to seal victory.

"The key to the innings was an excellent second-wicket stand of 116 from Keaton Jennings, who made 61, and nightwatchman Mark Wood, who scored a career-best 66.

"Scott Borthwick has also added to the Durham cause with 51, his 25th half century and his fourth this season. Michael Richardson will resume shortly on 46."

Niemi leaves Brighton for personal reasons

Empics

Antti Niemi has left his post as goalkeeping coach at Brighton to return to Finland for personal reasons.

The ex-Southampton and Fulham stopper, 42, joined the Seagulls last summer when former Finland international team-mate Sami Hyypia was boss.

"It was a hard decision because I loved my time at Brighton," Niemi said. "But it was difficult spending so much time away from my family. We came to the conclusion that it would be too difficult to carry on."

Patel spins Warwickshire to victory

Warwickshire 264 & 321-8 dec beat Worcestershire 149 & 255 by 181 runs (Match report)(Scorecard)

Jeetan Patel took 4-69 and reached 500 first-class wickets as Warwickshire beat Worcestershire at Edgbaston.

The New Zealand-born spinner, 35, trapped Alex Gidman lbw for 12 to reach his personal milestone at Edgbaston.

Resuming on 88-2 and chasing 437 for victory, Worcestershire lost captain Daryl Mitchell (38) and Tom Fell (33) in the space of three balls just before lunch.

Warwickshire wrapped up the tail to secure their first Championship win of the season.

Siddle on form

Gloucestershire 388 & 64-2, Lancashire 364(Scorecard)

Lancashire paceman Peter Siddle has taken both Gloucestershire wickets to fall in the afternoon session at Old Trafford.

Siddle, who is appearing for Lancashire early in their Championship campaign before linking up with Australia for this summer's Ashes series, has dismissed Chris Dent and Gareth Roderick to leave the visitors 64-2 at tea on day three, leading by 88 runs.

Eckersley hits ton

Leicestershire 292 & 208-3, Surrey 557 (Scorecard)

Leicestershire have fought back well after watching Kevin Pietersen score 355 not out against them for Surrey at The Oval.

The star of their second innings has been Ned Eckersley, who brought up his century off 132 balls in the afternoon session on day three.

Eckersley eventually fell to Zafar Ansari for 118, and at tea Leicestershire are 208-3, still trailing by 57 runs.

Reaction to Strauss on Pietersen

Henry: KP slamed the door shut on the ECB after THOSE messages and now everyone expects Strauss to pick him! Madness!

Neil Foot: Can only assume Michael Vaughan was told "no KP" thus not going for the job himself? Hands tied and wouldn't be a yes man.

Harry G Henderson: Seems like England cricket is taking a leaf out of Newcastle FCs management book. Mismanagement everywhere!

Football

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Southampton strikerJay Rodriguez has signed a new deal with the club, keeping him at St Mary's until 2019. The 25-year-old, who has missed most of the season with a knee injury, has told the club: "I'm delighted. It's a great club and we've done amazingly this year.

"It's been a tough year for myself, but I'm really delighted to sign. It's now about looking forward to the future. This is great news. I just want to carry on improving now and to try to get some game-time."

Football

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Barcelona's attempts to rest players ahead of the semi-final second leg in Munich went more smoothly, with five players, including Andres Iniesta, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, sitting out as Barca beat Real Sociedad 2-0 to boost their title hopes.

"You can't be too confident as you have to respect your opponent, so we will need to keep our players calm," said Barca boss Luis Enrique. "We know how big Bayern are so we will try our best not to allow them too many chances. They will have their fans behind them, so we will try to keep possession and create as much as possible up front."

Football

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In an attempt to have some key players fresh for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final with Barcelona, Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola rested four first-choice players on Saturday against Augsburg, keeper Manuel Neuer, midfielders Xabi Alonso and defenders Mehdi Benatia and Rafinha.

However, it did backfire a bit, not only because they lost 1-0 but Neuer played most of the game following Pepe Reina's early red card.

Reaction to Andrew Stauss interview

Fenners: Never mind @kp24 being told he can play, then being dumped ... what coach would want to work for this current ECB set-up?

And now two very different points of view...

Steven Fletcher: Great leadership by Strauss, just what England need ahead of a huge summer. KP had his chance and blew it - twice.

Steven Crouch: Barely an hour into his tenure as Director of Cricket and it's already clear that Strauss isn't up to the job.

Football

Defender Per Mertesacker sees no reason why Arsenal should not head to Old Trafford confident of securing automatic Champions League qualification, despite the frustration of a 1-0 home defeat by Swansea.

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Arsenal remain in third place, three points behind Manchester City, but with a game in hand - albeit with a far inferior goal difference.

Mertesacker said: "You could feel the disappointment in the dressing room after the Swansea game, because we gave so much. But we are still positive."

Football

Breaking news from Southampton, who have just tweeted this news...

Southampton

Football

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Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola says his side will "battle to the end" as they bid to overhaul a 3-0 first-leg deficit in Tuesday's Champions League semi-final with Barcelona.

"The only way we can make the final is by playing better than Barcelona and doing what we did in the second half [of the first leg]," said former Barca boss Guardiola. "Our only desire is try until the end."

History gives Bayern some hope. Two years ago they beat Barca 4-0 in Munich in the last-four stage and have also scored 13 goals in their last two home games - beating FC Shakhtar Donetsk 7-0 in the round of 16 and FC Porto 6-1 in the quarter-finals.

Leeds cleared to sign players as transfer embargo lifted

Championship side Leeds United have had their transfer embargo lifted after six months.

BBC Radio Leeds reports that chairman Massimo Cellino has told the station it was lifted last week.

In December they were placed under embargo until the season's end after breaching Financial Fair Play rules. For the embargo to be lifted, the Championship side will have needed to stay within an operating loss of no more than £3m, with a maximum of £3m of shareholder investment this season.

Reaction to Andrew Strauss' interview

Mark Espin, Manchester: So Andrew Strauss says its an issue of trust...does he mean....we'll tell u to stop playing IPL, stop earning your money, go to Surrey and score runs then we'll drop u anyway...I think trust is a 2 way street and the ECB and Strauss have once again made themselves look foolish! KP should be back in an England shirt.

Adrian Garner: It is a sad day for English cricket. It seems the paying public will be expected to pay ridiculous ticket prices at the gate to watch the 2nd team. What England need is a spark - KP could do that - instead we have to follow what Andrew Strauss wants - if it is 7-0 to the tourists this summer where will his trust be then? Shattered! English cricket management is a joke!

Steve Crook: Amazing the number of people who justify bringing the KP ego back into the team by saying pick the best team. The operative word here guys is "TEAM"!

Football

Nathaniel Clyne's deadline to give Southampton a decision on his future has passed - but contract negotiations have reopened to keep him at St Mary's.

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Speculation about the right-back has ramped up in recent months, with Manchester United strongly linked with a summer move for England international.

Clyne, out of contract next summer, has been at Southampton since 2012 and has become a senior England international since making the move from Crystal Palace.

Football

Real Madrid's James Rodriguez and Manchester United's Radamel Falcao have been named in Colombia coach Jose Pekerman's preliminary 30-man squad for the Copa America in Chile.

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The squad will be cut the squad to 23 on 1 June, ahead of the tournament from June 11 to July 4.

Colombia, fourth in the FIFA rankings behind Germany, Argentina and Belgium, won the tournament in 2001.

Football

It has almost been lost amid the deluge of Kevin Pietersen news, but there is rather a big football game taking place tonight.

Bayern Munich will attempt the seemingly impossible task of overhauling Barcelona's three-goal advantage in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final (19:45 BST).

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The German champions lost the first leg of their quarter-final 3-1 in Porto but won the home leg 6-1.

They'll be hoping for the something similar, though given the likes of Messi, Neymar and Suarez are in the opposition ranks, it might be a tad tricky.

We'll be looking ahead to the match throughout the remainder of the afternoon.

Reaction to Andrew Strauss interview

Ralph Pedersen: As much as I loved KP's autobiography, it really did close the door on his chances getting back in the England team.

Tim Nightingale: If @KP24 was a Man Utd footballer of equivalent talent and importance, Sir Alex Ferguson would have managed him better. Cantona kicked a fan!

Matt Wood: Would Real Madrid sack Ronaldo? No. But @ECB_cricket STILL won't pick @KP24. Insanity. Don't they want to compete in The Ashes?

Mike Clinch: Strauss and ECBtaking England cricket to a new low. Pick the best team

Tennis

One final Andy Murray snippet - he will decide this evening, after consulting with his entire team, whether to play in the Italian Open in Rome:

"I would like to play. Obviously I feel good just now in terms of my game, and confident," he said.

"I said it would be good for me to play matches at sea level after playing at altitude the last couple of weeks but I also need to look a little bit further ahead with such big events just around the corner - Roland Garros and Wimbledon - and try and make the best decision."

Tennis

A bit more meat on the bone about the Andy Murray-Jonas Bjorkman news.

BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller has interviewed the world number three, where he asked him about his coaching situation.

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Murray confirmed for the first time that he will be working exclusively with Bjorkman from Wimbledon until potentially the end of the year.

"He's going to be with me after Wimbledon, just me and him through potentially right until the end of the year," said the Scot. "I think both of us are quite motivated to do that. I haven't got to spend too much time with Jonas so far but it's been a good start and I'll try to keep it up."

Amelie Mauresmo hopes to be at Wimbledon, but is expecting her first child in August.

Tennis

BBC Radio 5 live tennis correspondent Russell Fuller on Twitter:

Twitter

Football

Here's an interesting one. Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has criticised Gareth Bale's agent for suggesting the Wales winger's team mates do not pass to him enough.

"This is a world in which a lot of people talk and sometimes they talk too much," Ancelotti said, ahead of Real's Champions League clash with Juventus on Wednesday.

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"Bale's agent, who has never been to one of our training sessions, who doesn't know the atmosphere we have, spoke from outside.

"Bale has never had problems with his team-mates and his team-mates have never had problems with Bale. So too many words and it would have been better to stay quiet. We are happy with Bale's season."

Reaction to Strauss on Pietersen

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Michael Wilson: At any level of sport surely you want the best available alongside you? I'd trust anyone if they hit 100+ and we win the game.

Rickbt: KP wouldn't be such an issue if we had a captain who could win matches.

Nick Liddle: So 355 runs is not enough. Looking forward to seeing a team full of 'trust' be dismantled by the Aussies.

Henry: ECB LOGIC: We don't trust you. We don't want you. But hey, do you want to be an advisor

Derbyshire openers make hay

Derbyshire 343 & 169-0, Northants 324 (Scorecard)

Derbyshire openers Chesney Hughes and Ben Slater have been going merrily along today, remaining at the crease throughout the morning session and adding another 93 runs.

The hosts are 169-0 at lunch on day three, with a lead of 188 runs.

Boxing

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Boxing news now and Scott Quigg will defend his WBA World Super Bantamweight title against Kiko Martinez at the Manchester Arena on 18 July.

After five fights in 13 months, Quigg was side-lined through hand surgery following his points-decision win over Hidenori Otake, and the 26 year old says that time out of the ring has made him hungrier than ever.

"I was very busy and the break has done me good - I am refreshed," said Quigg. "We know what Kiko brings, he's been in everyone's backyard and this is the toughest fight of my career - but there's one thing I know, I will beat him.

"This is a dangerous fight and those are the ones I want. It's the type of fight that you get out of bed for your morning runs for - the fear of losing that World title makes me work even harder."

Reaction to Andrew Strauss interview

Nick Liddle: So 355 runs is not enough. Looking forward to seeing a team full of 'trust' be dismantled by the Aussies.

Sam Robson: Right or wrong this decision was always going to be taken. The carrot of a return should not have been dangled to KP!

Dominic: Strauss says Pietersen not in plans for THIS summer? keep scoring big and I think he'll return if England's plight continues.

Football

Yaya Toure has welcomed FIFA's new system of match observers to monitor incidents of racism and discrimination at World Cup qualifiers in the build-up to the 2018 tournament in Russia, saying abuse can "break" players.

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The Manchester City midfielder, who suffered racist abuse while playing against CSKA Moscow in the Champions League in October 2013, said: "I have been in the situation where there have been monkey chants and it's difficult to deal with that.

"As sportsmen you want to continue to the end but when you hear something like that it hurts you and breaks you.

"You need to give them a radical sanction - paying a £20,000 fine is not enough, you need to do more."

Murray latest

Russell Fuller

BBC tennis correspondent on Radio 5 live sports extra

"Andy Murray plans to practise again this afternoon before deciding this evening whether to play in the Rome Masters.

"Murray says he wants to see how his legs are feeling after the exertions of the last two weeks, which have seen him win tournaments in Munich and Madrid."

Reaction to Andrew Strauss interview

PA

Richard Millard: I do not understand the clamour after KP hammered a second division bowling attack. Steve Waugh was right - time to move on.

Anthony Slack: The ECB has never had any ambition! When have they ever shown any committment to making cricket in England competitive?

Michael McGrath: KP is what cricket needs, a divisive character that'll put bums on seats regardless. Poor coaching and business move by the ECB.

Mark Duffell: So @kp24 cant play for country and top rugby players can't play for England if they play in France. And we wonder why we win nowt?

Cricket

Former Australian cricketer - and Kevin Pietersen mate - Shane Warne joins in the KP debate on Twitter:

Twitter

Twitter

Football

Aston Villa's rising star Jack Grealish has rejected a first senior Republic of Ireland call-up for next month's games against England and Scotland.

The 19-year-old was widely tipped to be included in the squad by manager Martin O'Neill, but his name was conspicuous by its absence.

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O'Neill said: "I spoke to both Jack and his father, and I think Jack just didn't want to make his mind up at this stage. He wants to make his decision at some time in the future."

The Birmingham-born midfielder can also play for England, but has already represented Republic of Ireland at Under-21 level.

Golf

Now then, just in case you think all other sports have been cancelled and there's only cricket remaining, here's something for the golf fans among you,

BBC golf correspondent Iain Carter has written an interesting piece about Rickie Fowler, after the American - voted most over-rated player on the PGA Tour by his peers last week - responded in style by winning the Players Championship, pocketing the £1.8m winner's cheque.

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"Coming into the tournament which is branded the unofficial fifth major, Fowler had won just once in 141 starts on the PGA Tour," writes Carter. "This poorly reflected his abilities when you consider that last year he was runner-up in three majors and fifth at the Masters."

Full article here - it's well worth a read.

Leicestershire fight back after Pietersen epic

Leicestershire 292 & 94-1, Surrey 557 (Scorecard)

Following Kevin Pietersen's brilliant unbeaten 355 at The Oval, Leicestershire have made a good fist of trying to clear a 265-run deficit and avoid an innings defeat.

After the loss of first-innings centurion Lewis Hill for a duck in Matt Dunn's opening over with the new ball, Ned Eckersley and Angus Robson have shared an unbroken stand of 94.

Eckersley, in particular, has looked in excellent touch, reaching 61 not out as they went in to lunch on 94-1.

Glos take slender lead

Gloucestershire 388, Lancashire 364 (Scorecard)

Lancashire's first innings ended just before lunch, with Kyle Jarvis the last man to fall, giving visitors Gloucestershire a 24-run lead at Old Trafford.

Opener Paul Horton was the mainstay of the home side's first innings, moving on to 168 this morning before he was the eighth wicket to fall - one of Liam Norwell's four victims in the innings.

Bears claim crucial wickets

Warwickshire 264 & 321-8 dec, Worcestershire 149 & 148-5 (Scorecard)

The outcome of this match may have turned on the stroke of lunch as Warwickshire picked up two vital wickets.

Worcestershire captain Daryl Mitchell had batted watchfully in the morning session with 38 off 172 balls, before he edged Boyd Rankin to slip just before the break.

Young batsman Tom Fell followed him back the pavilion just two balls later for 33 to leave the hosts needing five wickets in the remaining two sessions.

Worcestershire's victory target of 437 is very unlikely to come into play.

Champions Yorkshire in control

BBC Radio Solent's Kevan James at Headingley

Yorkshire 370 & 71-2, Hampshire 227 (Scorecard)

"Yorkshire lead Hampshire by 214 runs. They picked up the final two Hampshire wickets this morning for the addition of just four runs to give them a handy 143-run first-innings lead. Adil Rashid finished with 4-70.

"Fidel Edwards then bowled with more pace and control as he induced England probable Adam Lyth (23) into chasing a full delivery outside off stump to be caught behind.

"Yorkshire though are in a dominant position."

Middlesex well placed

BBC London 94.9's Kevin Hand at Hove:

Sussex 192 & 20-0, Middlesex 269 & 209 (Scorecard)

"Middlesex should have more than enough runs on the board to win this match having set Sussex 287, the highest total of the match, to win.

"The visitors were skittled for 209 as their final four wickets batted for an hour and a half this morning, but the pitch appears to have deteriorated further with the bounce causing a great deal of alarm.

"The Middlesex wicketkeeper, John Simpson, only just managed to get his head out of the way of a full delivery that exploded from Steve Magoffin before falling to a short of a length delivery from the same bowler that rolled to middle stump."

Durham pair march on

Martin Emmerson, BBC Newcastle, at Chester-le-Street:

Durham 163 & 107-1, Notts 245 & 178 (Scorecard)

"It's been a very good morning for Durham, who have reached lunch without losing a wicket today.

"They are now 107-1, needing another 154 to beat Notts. Keaton Jennings has 52 and nightwatchman Mark Wood 47. However, Wood appeared to edge a delivery from Steven Mullaney to Samit Patel in the slips on 32. But umpires Neil Mallender and Russell Evans suggested the ball hadn't carried.

"The partnership is 93 runs and is the largest Wood has been involved with. His previous highest was 70 with Graham Onions at Trent Bridge two seasons ago."

Reaction to Andrew Strauss interview

BarryD: KP situation has been self inflicted by KP. If you allow a star or celebrity to misbehave and then welcome him back he thinks it is fine to continue to misbehave because you are fully dependant on him. Cricket is only a game and sooner or later new talented players will emerge. Best to inform him it is all over and you caused it.

Paul Sylvester: Same old story from KP and cheerleader in chief Piers Morgan (who knows next to nothing about cricket or football): poor little me - infamy infamy - everyone's got it in for me. KP makes Boycott look like the ultimate team player.

Nick, Epsom: People seem to be forgetting the plain and simple selection dilemma. KP doesn't open and we need Stokes to bowl, so who gets the chop.? Ballance, Bell, Root... Good luck with that..!!

Reaction to Andrew Strauss interview

Kithmina Hewage: Only question of trust ECB should ask is: Do we trust @KP24 to score runs? He has given 350+ ways of saying yes to that.

Peter: KP is toxic. Strauss is a team player. Good decision Strauss.

Mike Wren-Kirkham: Why can't @KP24 play in the ODI squad? Different captain, no senior players, obvious place for him, allows him to build trust.

Steve: If it's about the future, drop Jimmy.

Kent batsmen on top

Nick Webb, BBC Radio Wales Sport, at Canterbury:

Kent 357 & 115-1, Glamorgan 281

"Kent's batsmen enjoyed the upper hand on the third morning as they moved on to 115-1 - a formidable lead of 191 runs against Glamorgan at Canterbury.

"Joe Denly led the way with 58 not out, but was given able support in a century stand by nightwatchman James Tredwell on 45 not out, playing his first domestic match since England's tour of West Indies.

"Daniel Bell-Drummond, the centurion of the first day, was the only man out, lbw to Michael Hogan for one."

Horse Racing

@GBRacing

Four of the top six horses in the betting for next month's Derby at Epsom have been declared for York's Dante Stakes on Thursday.

Elm Park, trained by Andrew Balding, is joined by Jack Hobbs, John F Kennedy and Ol' Man River.

Golden Horn, Lord Ben Stack, Medrano and Nafaqa complete the field.

You can follow all the latest non-runners, going and results on the BBC Sport website.

Reaction to Andrew Strauss interview

Lee Dawson: So very inconsistent, setting up a Twitter account to humiliate and mock him is in the best interests of the dressing room then?

Daniel Boardman: So Cook scores one century in two years. He's in. KP scores two double centuries in three games. He's out. Hmm, doesn't add up.

Matt Carver: I reckon that once England lose the New Zealand Test, whitewashed, Strauss will go back if KP scores more runs, begging for him to return.

Jimbo: Arrogant and egotistical comments by Strauss. Its not about him or Pietersen its about ENGLAND winning again.

Cricket

New ECB director of cricket Andrew Strauss revealed that Joe Root has been promoted to national vice captain in place of Ian Bell. Here are some stats about the 24-year-old Yorkshire player...

BBC Sport

Rugby League

Hull FC owner Adam Pearson has reaffirmed his commitment to the Super League club in the wake of his appointment as executive director at Leeds United.

Pearson has returned to Elland Road, where he was previously involved through his various roles in football.

However, Pearson, who bought Hull in 2011, moved to put supporters' minds at rest by saying: "It changes nothing in terms of my responsibilities and ownership at Hull FC.

"Joining the board at Leeds United is an exciting prospect and one I'm looking forward to after a number roles in football in the past. "However, I remain totally committed to Hull FC."

Reaction to Andrew Strauss interview

David Ormrod: Me and many others won't be following the fortunes of England until we pick our best team.

Tim Bennett: Good call on @KP24 but handled poorly again. Can't say the door is open if it's not. ECB is run by Eastenders writers.

Paddy Emmerson: We are now guaranteed to lose against NZ and be humiliated by Australia. @KP24 is well out of it.

Sally M: Lesson seems to be only write your scathing book when you retire from the game. KP has burned too many bridges.

Football

Twitter

Cricket

Kevin Pietersen led the agenda when the press spoke to Andrew Strauss earlier, but the ECB's new director of cricket also admitted that Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie was one of the names being considered to succeed Peter Moores as England head coach...

BBC Sport

Cricket

More from Piers Morgan on Kevin Pietersen: "Look at his age - he's 34 years-old. He could have four or five more years of England international cricket in him in all forms.

"This is a guy who has scored nearly 10,000 Test match runs and nearly 14,000 international runs.

"He's fit as a fiddle - 354 not out shows it - and desperate to play for his country.

"And we've just had 15 months of abject failure with a useless captain, a ridiculous bunch of managing directors and coaches ... and now it looks like we're straight back into the dame thing all over again."

Forget politicians going head-to-head in debates, anyone up for Morgan v Strauss?

Cricket

Piers Morgan, cricket lover and - it's important to point out - close friend of Kevin Pietersen - has been on Radio 5 live to discuss the KP controversy.

'I spoke to Kevin this morning and he's incredibly upset, he believes he's been deeply misled," said Morgan.

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"He believes he made decisions which were at a huge financial cost to him which has an impact one his livelihood and his family.

"He did it because he was told if he did it and it worked he would be back in the England team.

"Last night he was told face to face with Andrew Strauss that's not happening. He feels angry, frustrated, misled and I don't' know what he's going to do. "

Road Cycling

Some news you might have missed from overnight, with Mark Cavendish continuing his good start to the Tour of California by winning Monday's second stage in Lodi.

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The Briton, who also won Sunday's first stage, prevailed by less than a bike wheel as he beat Slovakia's Peter Sagan in a bunch sprint for the line.

"We won the two stages that we came to win," said Cavendish, who leads Sagan by eight seconds in the standings.

"Tuesday is a mountain stage, so it will be a different story for the stage and also the General Classification."

Tennis

Tweet from BBC Radio 5 live's tennis correspondent Russell Fuller:

Twitter

Murray claimed his first victory over Rafael Nadal on clay to win the Madrid Masters on Sunday - his second clay court title in a week, after victory in the Munich Open seven days earlier.

Reaction to Andrew Strauss interview

James Meiring: Australia have always catered for similar personalities, Shane Warne, etc - why can't the English?

Tim Moody: This rubbish that trust is the main thing. Cristiano Ronaldo at Madrid causes problems, but he wins games and that's what teams want.

Mashidur Miah: Strauss has trust issues with KP but offered him an advisory role? Confused! What a shambles England cricket is becoming.

Andy Marrs: "KP scored those runs for himself", yeah because if you do that they don't count for the team...

Cricket

Jonathan Agnew

BBC Test Match Special

The Kevin Pietersen issue continues to dominate the news agenda. But will KP continue to be the elephant in the room for the ECB?

"What helps is that Kevin Pietersen will have to go back to India to play in the IPL. If Hyderabad make it through they can call on him, so he misses the next round of County Championship matches. He is also committed to playing in the Caribbean Premier League. You can see there is some space where he cannot be embarrassing England by scoring runs for Surrey.

"The door is still partly open, but I feel that is more for legal reasons. Anyone who has heard what has been said today will realise it is very unlikely that Kevin Pietersen will play for England again."

Reaction to Andrew Strauss interview

Martyn Clark: Is KP one of England's best players? Get him in and get a coach who can manage. Strauss is part of the problem, not solution.

Ian Morris: Would love to see Pietersen playing ODI's again as the current squad isn't good enough to compete with the rest of the playing nations.

Tom Membrey: Those against @KP24 ego: these people are professional sportsmen paid to entertain and represent their country, not to get on.

Football

We've heard Arsene Wenger's side of the story after Arsenal lost to Swansea last night - "undeserved" against a side "who just defended" - but what of Garry Monk?

Not surprisingly, the Swansea boss is having none of it. "We could have come here and gone toe-to-toe but, with the individual quality Arsenal have, they could have hurt us, so we set up very well with a game plan," said Monk.

Reuters

"We've done it all season. We've played games where we've dominated and won and we've played games like this where we've set up differently."

"Three points - that's the pleasing bit, whether we deserved it or not."

Can't argue with that.

Cricket

The lows...

Sydney, 2013/14: Pietersen finished England's leading run-scorer in the whitewash defeat Down Under. After failing to reach double figures in either of his innings in the final Test, the ECB's new managing director Paul Downton concluded that he was "disengaged". A month later, Pietersen was sacked.

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October 2014: The man himself sees his autobiography as a triumph. But the contents - England's alleged bullying culture, Pietersen's depiction of "sour and dour" Andy Flower, and stream of criticism for wicketkeeper Matt Prior - was considered a low-point by many others, especially in the cricket world.

May 2015: Even his unbeaten 326 for Surrey against Leicestershire was not enough to convince new ECB director Strauss that another Ashes return is viable this summer.

Cricket

The highs...

Headingley, 2012: His destruction of South Africa's outstanding pace attack in Leeds had to be seen to be believed. Pietersen was named as man of the match following his first-innings 149, though the Test ended in a draw.

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Mumbai, 2012: His 186 in the second Test, dominating a wonderful stand with his captain Alastair Cook, was a masterclass. Pietersen tamed India's spinners on a pitch tailored for them as England levelled at 1-1 on the way to a first series success in India for almost 28 years.

The Oval, 2015: No international stage this time, just the possibility of a renewed Test future on the line - and Pietersen demonstrated yet again that he is at his best when the pressure is on. But will his 326 not out in Surrey's county championship clash with Leicestershire be enough to get him back in the England line-up? Apparently not...

Reaction to Andrew Strauss' interview

The trust between Kevin Pietersen and the ECB has been eroded to the extent that the player will not feature for England this summer, says new ECB director of cricket Andrew Strauss. Here are some more of your thoughts...

John Monks: KP scored those runs for himself, not for his team. That's KP - egocentric. Strauss made the right call. Move on.

Callum Johnstone: Can't see Clarke being dropped by Aus for 'trust issues' when his fall out with Lehmann is very public, pick your best team!

Daniel Wright: The Pietersen issue is a joke. He was made a scapegoat so came out and told the truth and the ECB didn't like that!

Cook appointed Portsmouth boss

A little breaking football news for you...

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Portsmouth have appointed Chesterfield boss Paul Cook as their new manager.

Cook takes charge of Pompey following the dismissal of former boss Andy Awford in April.

The 48-year-old was in the dugout as the Spireites were knocked out of the League One play-offs following a 3-0 defeat at Preston on Sunday.

The club said in a statement that talks were ongoing with his assistant Leam Richardson about joining the coaching team at Fratton Park.

Cricket

The lows...

Ashes 2006/07: England went Down Under with hopes high for a second successive Ashes series win, but left 5-0 losers. Pietersen batted well, including a big hundred in Adelaide, but he could not stem the tide of whitewash defeat.

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2008/09: While captain of England, his power-struggle with coach Peter Moores ended with each losing his job. After his brief tenure, Pietersen had to return to the ranks - and for the remainder of his career, toe the line under the regime built by Andy Flower and Andrew Strauss.

Headingley, 2012: Just 24 hours after his brilliant century against South Africa, Pietersen's attempt to avoid the vexed topic of his future plans in the post-match press conference resulted only in the pronouncement that it was "difficult being me" in the England dressing-room. Within days, against a background of 'provocative' texts sent to the opposition about his captain, he was dropped for the final Test at Lord's.

Cricket

The highs...

The Oval, 2005: Pietersen's maiden Test series, the Ashes no less, was a personal triumph that gripped the nation. Earned his call-up (replacing Graham Thorpe) following a string of one-day international hundreds in a cauldron atmosphere in his native South Africa. Then, with the Ashes in the balance, Pietersen saved the day with a brilliant counter-attacking 158 in the final Test.

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The Caribbean, 2010: England have won just one global trophy in 40 years of trying - and Pietersen was key to their success at the ICC World Twenty20, named player-of-the-tournament after Paul Collingwood's team beat Australia in the final.

Ashes 2010/11: In England's 3-1 series win, Pietersen hit a double-century in the second Test in Adelaide as England beat their hosts by an innings.

Cricket

Wondering why we're so obsessed with Kevin Pietersen? It's because he's an incredibly talented cricketer, but a fella who seems to be almost as good as courting controversy as he is at hitting fours.

Here's a reminder of some of KP's highs and lows...

Reaction to Andrew Strauss' interview

The trust between Kevin Pietersen and the ECB has been eroded to the extent that the player will not feature for England this summer, says new ECB director of cricket Andrew Strauss. Here are some of your thoughts...

Rob Overfield, W London: KP broke the omerta of the dressing room for his own ends; that's unforgivable. KP has an issue, it's he sees himself as being outside that dressing room code. No amount of runs could ever change that.

Guy: It's simple. If KP had been mature and sensible and not written the book or sent the texts, he'd be in with a much better chance. But he did. And he's paying the price.

Rob, Bath: Staggered by comments supporting KP by people who clearly have no idea what it takes for a team to work. He's had more than one chance, he's all about him and that will only be corrosive. I'm sure ECB don't want a situation where they can't a top batsman but KP has made it so. Strauss absolutely right, anything less would keep the England team down for longer. Have to rebuild and if that means losing the ashes this time, so be it. Great vision from Strauss.

Cricket

Sky News sports correspondent Paul Kelso has just posted an interesting tweet regarding Kevin Pietersen...

Paul Kelso

Cricket

Patrick Geary

BBC Sport at The Oval

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"Surrey have lost their last wicket leaving Kevin Pietersen on 355 not out - two runs short of the all-time Surrey record. Surrey finished on 557 all out."

Cricket

Following Andrew Strauss' interview earlier, in which he talked about an eroding of trust between the organisation and Kevin Pietersen and revealed the player would not be featuring for England this summer, new ECB chief executive Tom Harrison has had this to say on Sky Sports...

"All I can add to what Andrew said is that we are aligned on the decision; myself, Andrew and Colin Graves. It has been a tricky issue that has been interpreted in different ways by different people. We are taking this as a chance to move forward with a new leadership with a real excitement about where English cricket can go."

Reaction to Andrew Strauss comments

Here is your reaction to Andrew Strauss' comments about an eroding of trust between the ECB and Kevin Pietersen...

Ashley Wilkinson: So ECB can't "trust" Kevin Pietersen. "Trust" doesn't get you runs, beat the Aussies or win a damn test match. Top batsmen do.

Keyu Sumaria: Youth youth youth? SL have had Sangakarra and Jayawardena, NZ McCullum and Vettori, Aussies Johnson and Clarke - Pick the best.

Alexander Catterall: The ECB are pathetic, they treat Pietersen issue as though they were in a relationship and he cheated on them...

Cricket

Strauss on the aim for the one-day team:

"The players we pick and our tactics have to be designed to give us our best chance of winning the next World Cup.

"It is four years away and I reckon we are going to need every minute of those four years.

"We have been well off pace in the last five years. I want to make sure we are not off pace for the next World Cup."

Asked what his job role actually was, Strauss said: "My job is to take England from where we are to a sustainable world class team in all formats."

Cricket

Patrick Geary

BBC Sport at The Oval

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"As Andrew Strauss speaks, Kevin Pietersen has moved beyond 350. He is now closing on the Surrey record score of 357."

Cricket

Strauss on a new role for Joe Root:

"I have asked Joe Root to be vice-captain for the Test team. He has outstanding leadership capabilities and we can need to ask him to do more.

"It is time for Joe to step up in that regard - thought this is in no way a reflection of Ian Bell (who had been vice-captain for the tour of West Indies)."

Cricket

Andrew Strauss has also discussed the sacking of Peter Moores and the search for a new coach...

"It was another difficult decision to make. Peter Moores is popular in the dressing room and has a good record of bringing through players but he is exposed in a few areas, namely tactics and strategy, as was shown at the World Cup.

"My job is to now pick the right coach to take England forward. He [Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie] is one of the candidates. I am more about the process and over the next few days we will meet candidates. We need to meet them, find out their philosophies.

"It will be one overarching coach. I will not be playing a tracksuited role. The strategy is for the captain and coach. My job is to plan for the future."

Cricket

Strauss on the position of captain Alastair Cook:

"Alastair Cook has my full backing to lead the side into the Ashes this summer. He has had a brutally tough last 18 months, with his own form and one-day captaincy.

"He turned that round in the West Indies. I think the team needs his leadership and I think he will do an excellent job this summer.

He is not going to be captain England forever but I am very happy with him in charge this summer."

Cricket

Sky

More from Andrew Strauss, speaking to Sky Sports News, on Pietersen:

"No one has ever had any doubts about his capabilities as a player. But we can't have a situation where the ECB and Kevin don't trust each other. Everyone knows there is no trust out here. At the moment we're quite estranged.

"This is not about KP, it's about the future of English cricket. Trust is imperative in any team environment. My job is to look to the future of English cricket and develop a side capable of winning tournaments over the next four years.

"He is not barred from playing for England but he is not part of our plans for this summer."

Strauss - 'Trust issue' with Pietersen

England's new director of cricket Andrew Strauss is speaking to the media this morning at Lord's, with Kevin Pietersen playing the elephant in the room.

"I think the first thing to say is that now is the time for honest conversation about Kevin Pietersen. No one is doubting his ability. His record stacks up and he should be proud of that. But over months and years the trust has eroded between him and the ECB and there is a massive trust issue between Kevin and I.

"I'm not blaming any one side for that. But because of that we have decided it is not in the best short-term interest of the side for him not to be in the team. He is not banned from the side but I can give him no guarantees for the future."

Football

Everton defender Leighton Baines is to see a specialist to determine the extent of an ankle injury.

The left-back, 30, was forced off in the second half of Saturday's 2-0 defeat at home to Sunderland and is a doubt for this weekend's trip to West Ham.

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"We're going to find out a bit more in the next two days," manager Roberto Martinez told the Toffees website. "It was really, really painful in an area that has been a bit of a problem for Leighton.

"We'll get more clarity over the next 48 hours and clearly we'll address it once we get that information from the specialist."

Football gossip

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Manchester City have made an approach for former Chelsea midfielder Kevin de Bruyne. The 23-year-old, valued at £35m by Wolfsburg, is also a target for Bayern Munich and Paris St-Germain, according to Talksport.

Should KP play for England?

Hywel Hughes in Devon: I just want to see our best batsman in action for England again. Cheated out of it by pathetic ECB. Again. The Aussies and the South Africans would have him and they have much better players than our lot.

CJ, Kent: There's no way Pietersen should walk back into the side. Its a team game and he has proved time and time again he isnt a team man. He's slagged off half the team publically and in his book. Plus the strongest part of our team is 3, 4 & 5 (Ballance, Bell & Root) who average 62, 44 & 55.

Richard in Bath: Great strategy from the incoming Andrew Strauss - don't pick your best players! The youth they refer to could still blossom with an older, gifted batsmen amongst them. Whitewash v Aussies here we come.

Cook set for Portsmouth job

Chesterfield boss Paul Cook could be confirmed as the new Portsmouth manager today.

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BBC Radio Sheffield reported on Sunday that a deal had been agreed between the two clubs.

Pompey have been looking for a new boss since Andy Awford was sacked last month.

Athletics

European Indoor Pentathlon gold medallist Katarina Johnson-Thompson has withdrawn from the combined events meeting in Gotzis on 30-31 May.

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Johnson-Thompson suffered a knee injury following her European title in Prague in early March, which has stopped her from training properly.

She competed in the 200m hurdles in Manchester last weekend, but says she is "not sufficiently prepared" to undertake a heptathlon at the end of the month."

Football

Arsenal legend Ian Wright has urged England international Theo Walcott not to quit the club, despite a "rough" patch and speculation over his future.

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"As a professional he's just got to wait his time... and push himself to make sure he starts in the first team at the start of next season," Wright said.

"That is what you're meant to do as a professional, you're not meant to, as soon as the going gets rough, head for the exit."

Football

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal should have no problem communicating with Andreas Pereira - the teenage striker can speak five languages.

The Brazil youth international has mastered Flemish, French, Portuguese, English and Spanish - and he is just 19.

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"I grew up in Belgium, so I learned Flemish," he told BBC Sport's Simon Stone.

"When I played for Belgium, I spoke French as well. At home, I speak Portuguese. When I came to England, I learned English. Then we have all the Spanish lads, so I learned that as well."

Next time you accuse footballers of not being the brightest, think again...

On another note, Pereira is likely to play for Man Utd U21 v City tonight at Old Trafford - and it is free entry if you fancy going along to watch.

Football gossip

Daily Telegraph: Chelsea are confident of beating Manchester United and Inter Milan to the signing of Brazil Under-20 international Robert Kenedy from Fluminense for £5m. But the Blues would then have to loan the 19-year-old striker to a European club in order for him to become eligible for a work permit.

Strauss to face the media

Just a quick reminder that the new director, England cricket Andrew Strauss and ECB chief executive Tom Harrison will be answering questions from the media at Lord's today from 10:45 BST. We'll bring you what they have to say as soon as we get it.

Rugby Union

Some good news for George North fans.

The Wales and Northampton player says his recovery from concussion is "looking positive" and has played down Warren Gatland's worries ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

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Wales coach Gatland has admitted he would prefer it if North did not play again before September's World Cup, for the player's own safety.

However, North, 23, told the Daily Telegraph: "It's looking positive. I am symptom-free and going through the return-to-play protocols."

KP arrives at The Oval

Patrick Geary

BBC Sport at the Oval

"Kevin Pietersen has arrived at The Oval. He didn't say anything about his meeting with Andrew Strauss and is due to resume batting at 11:00 BST on 326 not out.

"There is rain around so there's the chance of a delay."

You can follow the cricket from The Oval on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, which is also available via our cricket page.

Joey Barton hits Twitter

Earlier today, we showed you the back page of the Daily Mirror, which contained a story about QPR, suggesting that Adel Taarabt, Armand Traore, Mauro Zarate, Mauricio Isla and Eduardo Vargas were the players team-mate Joey Barton was referring to when he spoke of "bad eggs" ruining the club's season. Well, Barton has taken to Twitter to respond to the story...

Joey Barton

Joey Barton

Football gossip

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Inter Milan will bid £10m in an attempt to sign Manchester City's 31-year-old midfielder Yaya Toure. Inter are managed by former City boss Roberto Mancini, reports the Daily Star.

Hazard wins writers' award

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Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard has added the Football Writers' Association player of the year award to his Professional Footballers' Association prize for this season. The 24-year-old has scored 19 goals this campaign to help Chelsea lift the Premier League title.

Rugby League

Sticking with rugby league and Warrington have rejected a bid from Championship leaders Leigh for veteran hooker Micky Higham, insisting he remains central to their plans.

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The 34-year-old Higham is an ever-present with the Wolves this season, his seventh at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, and has started the last seven matches ahead of reigning Man of Steel Daryl Clark

Cougars to honour Jones contract

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Switching to rugby now (league in particular) and Keighley Cougars have announced that they will honour the remainder of the contract of Danny Jones, who died from a cardiac arrest after collapsing during a League One game at London Skolars on 3 May.

The club added that all payments will go directly to the family.

Derby must avoid 'draconian' review

BBC

To the Championship now and Derby County chief executive Sam Rush has insisted their end-of-season review must not be too "draconian" and risk losing sight of the club's progress.

A dismal run of just two wins in their last 13 games meant the Rams missed out on a Championship play-off place on the final day of the season.

Rush told BBC Radio Derby there was no way to "dress up" the disappointment. "But you have to look at the whole and be a little bit careful not be too draconian in any assessment," he added.

Should KP play for England?

We have been asking you if you think Kevin Pietersen should be picked again by England. Here are some of your replies...

Welly: His huge desire to get back into the England XI shows his commitment to the team. 'Not a team player' ridiculous argument.

Edward Barron: With people dismissing @KP24 achievement youd think there were batsmen scoring triple centuries in county cricket every week.

Ada: England need to rebuild like Australia did when they fell from the top a few years ago. Start young. Get a atmosphere in team.

Football gossip

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Daily Mail: Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling, 20, is putting his Merseyside house on the market and looking for property in London, provoking talk of a move to either Arsenal or Chelsea.

Sterling reportedly turned down a new contract with the Reds earlier in the campaign - talks are due to resume with the Anfield hierarchy at the end of the season.

County Championship - Division Two prospects

Having apparently been discarded by England - again - Kevin Pietersen will have the chance to add to his career-best 326 not out against Leicestershire at The Oval, barring a morning declaration by Surrey, who lead by 236 on 528-9.

Lancashire opener Paul Horton was also in the runs on Monday and will resume on 134 not out against Gloucestershire at Old Trafford with his side trailing by 112 on 276-6.

Derbyshire are 76-0 in their second innings, a lead of 95 over Northants, for whom all-rounder David Willey made 103 at a run-a-ball on the second day, and despite Will Bragg's 104 for Glamorgan, Kent will resume on 1-0 at Canterbury, with a 77-run lead.

Football gossip

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Manchester City are willing to offer Yaya Toure, Samir Nasri, Stevan Jovetic, Aleksandar Kolarov or Edin Dzeko in a deal for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, reports The Guardian.

If this is correct, gives you an idea of how keen the Blues are to land the 22-year-old Frenchman.

Football

Fifa is to announce a new system of match observers to monitor incidents of racism and discrimination at World Cup qualifiers in the build up to the 2018 tournament in Russia.

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure, who suffered racist abuse while playing against CSKA Moscow in the Champions League, will be present at the launch at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday.

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The observers will be trained to spot incidents of discrimination and report them to FIFA, which can then impose disciplinary sanctions on the countries involved.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has said "a lot of work needs to be done" to combat incidents.

Football

Now this probably won't come as the greatest of surprises but Arsene Wenger feels a bit hard done to after his Arsenal side's defeat by Swansea.

BBC Sport

Here's his interview after a 1-0 setback which could cost the Gunners a second-place finish in the Premier League.

The result was "unlucky" and "undeserved", reckons the Arsenal gaffer.

Should KP play for England?

We asked you if you thought Kevin Pietersen should play for England again. Here are some of your replies...

Dan Crerand: Would the Aussies have left Kevin Pietersen out? Not a chance. As a nation we are too conservative (ironically), he's our best player, fact.

Jay: It's obvious why KP shouldn't be picked. Think how bad he might make Cook & co look should he keep scoring so many runs!

Luke Jones: England are a bit of a mess, but should look to build for the future with youth, not a 34 y/o who was removed from the team.

Sanga on KP

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A little bit more from Kumar Sangakkara, speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today Programme:

"I think the decision was made some time ago. It doesn't seem to have been a decision taken after watching Kevin for the last few games.

"Whether it's the right or wrong decision will be shown by the future of English cricket. I personally think it would have been wonderful had Kevin been recalled, because I think he would be a wonderful addition to the team.

"When he's really committed himself to a comeback and it appears he had the opportunity to make the groundwork by scoring runs in county cricket - it's a shame he hasn't been allowed his day in England colours again."

County Championship - Division One prospects

Kevin Pietersen will be plying his trade in Division two again today. But what is the situation in Division One? Well...

Warwickshire need eight wickets to register their first Championship win of the summer after Worcestershire ended day three at Edgbaston on 88-2, chasing a huge victory target of 437.

Durham will resume on 15-1, needing another 246 for victory, after bowling out Notts for just 178 on the second day of their game at Chester-le-Street, with paceman Mark Wood taking 4-39.

Middlesex will resume on 126-6 in their second innings against Sussex at Hove, a lead of 203, while Yorkshire will be looking to polish off the Hampshire tail after reducing them to 223-8 despite Michael Carberry's 97.

'One of the best innings I've seen'

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Sri Lankan batting great Kumar Sangakkara, a team-mate of Kevin Pietersen's at Surrey, has been talking to BBC Radio 4 in light of KP's triple-century:

"I don't think KP thought he had to do something dramatic. He was doing something after the incoming chairman said the door was open as long as KP scores runs. That motivated KP to do what he did yesterday.

"He withdrew from the IPL to pay county cricket - it showed he was keen and committed to making a comeback.

"He had to score runs and he did - in one of the best innings I have seen on a wicket that was a lot more difficult to play on than he made it look."

Should KP play for England?

We asked for your views on Kevin Pietersen's England future. Here are some of them...

Bob, Devon: Re KP's 326, this is against a Division 2 bowling attack from a team who haven't won in 2 years. Hmmm.

Deborah, Manchester: Another case of talent being more important that civility and professionalism. If I spoke out about someone the way he has, or behaved as he has, how could I ever expect to be employed by them? But because he has talent that should override his behaviour?

Kenny, Glasgow: As a cricket fan, I find the KP situation absolutely ludicrous. As a fan, I want to see the greatest cricket players in the world playing at the highest level. I want to see a genuine 'edge of the seat' contest between bat and ball! Based on those two points, what is the point of following or watching England? They provide neither. As for Strauss, he's obviously a 'yes' man, but he's actually done remarkably well to turn the whole fraternity of cricket supporters against him a day before his first press conference...... Way to go!

Swindon edge play-off thriller

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Sticking with football and last night also served up an absolute belter of a play-off game from League One, with Swindon and Sheffield United drawing 5-5 in the second leg of their semi-final. Town progress to the final courtesy of their 2-1 win in the first leg, but the Blades walk away with their heads held high.

The game set a new record for the highest number of goals in a play-off semi-final - and Mark Cooper's side will now take on Preston in the League One play-off final at Wembley on 24 May.

Swansea win at Arsenal

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Moving away from cricket (and KP) for a moment and into the world of football. Last night, Swansea snatched a dramatic late win at the Emirates thanks to Bafetimbi Gomis's header and denied Arsenal the opportunity to move level on points with Manchester City in second place in the Premier League.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was able to name the same team for a fifth successive game for the first time since 1994 but it was unable to get a win, despite having the majority of possession and chances. It means the Swans have now done the double over Arsenal for the first time since the 1981-82 season. Cap doffed.

Cricket

There's plenty of Pietersen supporters out there if the early polling in our vote is anything to go by - with about 75% saying he should play for England again.

PA

Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Strauss pictured in August 2010

The vote will close at midday and the result will be published here in Sportsday live. You can read terms and conditions here. Get voting people.

We'd also like to hear your views on the situation in more detail. You can contact us with your take on the KP situation via text (81111) or Twitter, using the hashtag #bbcsportsday.

Strauss' pressing tasks

Ed Smith

TMS commentator and former England batsman on BBC Radio 5 live

What does Andrew Strauss have to deal with first - after KP - in his new role?

"He has to appoint a coach. And what is the coach doing? It's not obvious.

"He has to ask if we're overloading players, particularly at the academy, and go back to players learning from playing cricket rather than being in a regulated system.

"And who picks the team? It's unclear who picks the team in many cricket sides. Perhaps selection should be taken out of the dressing room?

"In terms of Andrew Strauss, do you want someone to be interesting or good at their job? There's a massive misconception that the way to connect with the cricket public is by saying a lot."

Should KP play for England?

We asked you if you thought Kevin Pietersen should play for England again and, if so, why. Here are some of your replies...

Niall Tasker: The squad should be picked based on players form rather than personal feelings of individuals.

Paul Campbell: No KP should not play for England again. Takes England backwards and he is a player that disrupts the dressing room.

Si Garnett: If Kevin Pietersen had hit 326 on Thursday/Friday last week he could have had his own majority parliament.

Should KP play for England again?

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Our vote today is a simple one: Should Kevin Pietersen play for England again?

The vote will close at midday and the result will be published here in Sportsday live. You can read terms and conditions here. Get voting people.

We'd also like to hear your views on the situation in more detail. You can contact us with your take on the KP situation via text (81111) or Twitter, using the hashtag #bbcsportsday.

Ed Smith on KP

Ed Smith

TMS commentator and former England batsman on BBC Radio 5 live

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Ed Smith has been very forceful in his opinion that Kevin Pietersen should not be in the England side, telling BBC Radio 5 live that...

"I think it would be Andrew Strauss's own view. It's complicated. Where will he get in the side?

"He's a middle order batsman, which is the strongest element of the England side.

"Then there's the book he wrote criticising current England players and then his commitment - he has deals to play in competitions abroad.

"Fans are not divided. Social media is divided and social media is a poor reflection of cricket."

KP's top score in numbers

BBC

326 and counting

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Kevin Pietersen and the rest of the Surrey side will be continuing their game with Leicestershire from 11:00 BST, with the batsman having the opportunity to put further pressure on the ECB by adding to his 326 runs. His side are 528-9 in response to Leicestershire's first-innings 292 all out. You can follow that via local radio commentary on our cricket page.

At around the same time, Andrew Strauss should be meeting the media. Lovely stuff.

KP 'in best form of his career'

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There will be plenty of people having plenty to say about Kevin Pietersen today. But what does the man himself have to say? BBC Sport had a chat with the batsman after his career-best 326 not out on Monday, during which he said he is in the best form of his career and reiterated his desire to play for England again.

Cricket

Allies of Kevin Pietersen have been taking to social media to support their friend.

Australian cricket legend Shane Warne points the finger at the ECB, while broadcaster Piers Morgan pretty much points the finger everywhere...

Shane Warne

Piers Morgan

QPR's "bad eggs"

Mirror

KP plays second fiddle to QPR's "bad eggs" in the Daily Mirror. They have named and shamed the players they believe are the ones Joey Barton was referring to when he suggested some individuals had let the club down this season.

Strauss KO's KP England dream

Independent

The Independent continue the KP theme. They also go with a sidebar on the subject of newly-relegated QPR, who they say will fight any attempt to fine them £50m for failing Financial Fair Play stipulations. Speaking of QPR...

Dream over for KP?

Sun

I suspect we may hear the number 326 quite a few times today. The Sun's back page is dominated by it, along with the suggestion that things may well get a touch awkward for Strauss when he meets the press later. That should be happening around 11:00 BST so make sure you're within viewing distance of Sportsday to get all the latest.

326 reasons to pick KP

Times

The back pages are awash with KP today. The Times focus the question on Andrew Strauss, stating that Pietersen has given the incoming director of cricket 326 reasons to pick him. If it is indeed true that the Surrey man is not going to be selected, then hopefully we'll find out later a few of the reasons why not.

Good morning

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Good morning all. We need to talk about Kevin.

The Kevin in question is, of course, Mr Pietersen; England's leading run-scorer in all formats, in many people's opinion still the best batsman the nation has at its disposal, arguably the most divisive figure in modern English sport, a man who wants to play for his country and the scorer this week of a career-best 326 not out.

He was also reportedly told last night by incoming ECB director of cricket Andrew Strauss that he will never play for England again.

Strauss is meeting the press later today. He won't have a choice but to talk about Kevin.