Captain Strauss vindicates ECB's decision to fine Pietersen for offensive tweet

London, May 25(ANI): England Test team captain Andrew Strauss has told his players not to indulge in anything that offends the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and justified the fine imposed on Kevin Pietersen for his twitter comment on cricket commentator Nick Knight.

Pietersen was fined 2,500 pounds by the ECB hierarchy for exceeding contractual boundaries.

"We have conditions of employment that don't allow us to talk about everything and anything. We can't criticize the ICC, we can't criticize umpires, and in this case, the board wasn't happy with Kevin's comments with regard to our broadcaster,' the Daily Mirror quoted Strauss, as saying.

"That's their right as a board. So, Kevin has obviously received a fine because of that. That's the way of the world. If you sign an England contract, you can have opinions on certain things, but can' t say them publicly," he added.

"That's the way it is and, there are good reasons for that. Any employer would expect their employees to be aware of sensitive issues," he said.

Strauss said the players are not involved in this matter, as it was solely a matter between Pietersen and the ECB.

"This is an issue between the board and Kevin, more than the players. We've not been particularly involved with it, but you can understand that the board is concerned with making sure their sponsors and broadcasters are looked after," Strauss said.

With Sky Sports pumping huge sums of money into the game they were understandably miffed at the second potshot Pietersen had taken at Knight over the internet following a tweet last year that he was 'stealing a living.' (ANI)