Pietersen quits England captaincy over quota row

Kevin Pietersen’s career as England captain came to an abrupt end today after he quit the post over the England team’s controversial quota system. “When [England selector] Geoff Miller told me the ECB policy was to select as many English players as possible I couldn’t believe my ears," said the South African-born batsman this afternoon. "To me, every single person needs to be treated exactly the same, and you should be selected to play for England on merit regardless of whether you were born in this country or not,” he said. "Now does anyone have Ricky Ponting's telephone number?"