Playing for $20m is no picnic, apparently

Despite back-to-back warm-up wins, England skipper Kevin Pietersen is not enjoying his $20m holiday courtesy of Sir Allen Stanford. Injuries to several players, poor playing conditions, and the wandering hands of Sir Allen add up to a miserable KP.

“Yes, it’s a lot of dosh but the longer this week goes on the more I want to get it over with. We have got four guys sick and another couple are not well now.”

Come on KP, it’s not that bad - you’re hardly Marlow to Stanford’s Kurz.

In other Stanford-related news, it transpires that the ECB will hold an “urgent review” into the Super Series.

“I’m hearing that there are serious concerns from the ECB at the manner in which the tournament has been staged this week,” said BBC cricket correspondent Jon Agnew.

“Essentially, it’s been an ego trip for Sir Allen Stanford, who effectively has bought the England team.

“The impression has been given that he’s been using it as a play thing, rather than a serious cricketing week, which is what the ECB had in mind when it signed up for this.”

Although the huge money at stake means every player is taking Sunday’s $20m very, very seriously, in all other respects, the tournament is a comical circus.