When Faulkner and Pietersen engaged in post-match banter again
Recently, Australian all-rounder James Faulkner and tainted English batsman Kevin Pietersen engaged in some friendly banter on Twitter after the Melbourne Stars lost their first Big Bash League (BBL) game against the Adelaide Strikers. It seems like they are going to make a habit out of it as they continued the same after their game against the Sydney Thunder on Sunday.
In the fifth match of the BBL, the Melbourne Stars lost their second game in a row as they lost to the Thunder by just 1 run. Stars, who are captained by David Hussey, won the toss and put the Thunder into bat.
Thunder, who are led by the other Hussey, Michael, were propelled to a good total of 178 in their 20 overs as the crowd at the MCG were treated to a brilliant century by opener Usman Khawaja.
In reply, the Stars were at one point 80/4 in 10.3 overs and victory seemed bleak. However, all was not lost as Pietersen and Faulkner gave some hope with their 84-run partnership. Pietersen, who made 76 off 42 balls, lost his wicket when the Stars needed 15 runs in just 10 balls.
Faulkner, being known as a finisher, would have been expected to win the game easily for the Stars. But, the Thunder held on well and won the game by a solitary run.
The Stars have now lost both their games and are second from the bottom of the table. The next game for the Stars is now post-Christmas on the 28th when they take on the other Sydney outfit – Sixers.
After the match, Pietersen summarised the game with a friendly sarcastic rant against Faulkner, stating that the Australian all-rounder should have been the man-of-the-match for his bowling figures of 0/49 in 4 overs and for not being able to finish the match.
Here is the entire conversation:
My summary from last nights game - @JamesFaulkner44 should have been MOM! 0-49 in 4 & couldn't FINISH the job! #GoStars
— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) December 20, 2015
Kev, I couldn't agree more... I was very poor last night and disappointed with myself. I need to get better https://t.co/xhNUDuwHs8
— James Faulkner (@JamesFaulkner44) December 20, 2015
I you! xxx https://t.co/3HvuNbqLBe
— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) December 21, 2015
I know sweetheart https://t.co/31qvLcmDcz
— James Faulkner (@JamesFaulkner44) December 21, 2015?
Fans’ reaction to the banter between Pietersen and Faulkner:
We have drink breaks & change of gloves I reckon when @KP24 & @JamesFaulkner44 bat they should get a Twitter break & go at it for 30sec #fun
— Trent Woodhill (@TrentWoodhill) December 20, 2015
@JamesFaulkner44 @KP24 this banter is just as good as the T20 itself. Great to see players enjoying friendly banter
— Daniel Bryan (@dandette) December 21, 2015