You just cannot keep Kevin Pietersen out of the news at the moment. Not only has he exclusively agreed to provide his (almost) daily diary posts to the Reverse Sweep throughout the Ashes (see KP's Ashes Diary), but he is currently embroiled in a slanging match with John Buchanan. David Siddall of World Cricket Watch asks whether baiting KP is a sensible strategy for the Aussies...
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Kevin Pietersen is England’s most accomplished and most aggressive batsmen. He also supposedly has the potential to be a disruptive force in the England dressing room…
“He (Pietersen} is a quality player and he could be an incredible strength for them but, if he’s not scoring runs, he could become a major problem for the batting line-up and the entire team.” – John Buchanan ~ England consultant and former Australia coach
If England’s Ashes consultant John Buchanan is to believed then KP is considered a hindrance to England’s quest of winning the Ashes down under for the first time since 1986/87. Looking at his form over the past 2 years, then Mr Buchanan has a solid argument to back his statements up. Furthermore, the performance of KP in fleetingly trying to find some form before the Ashes has been a disaster on the face of it. He failed for Surrey and he failed back in his native South Africa. But does this mean that every England fan should be worried with the Ashes set to start in under a month?
It is inherently in the blood of the English cricket fan to be a pessimistic soul. Yet for some reason or other I cannot bring myself – as the archetypal England fan - to follow that route despite history and several years of hurt pointing to a major mistake on my behalf. Andrew Strauss, the England captain, has taken on the mantle in recent years of being England’s most prolific batsman. Yet there is something instinctively inside me that says Kevin Pietersen will be England’s top runscorer this summer. The old adage that form is temporary class is permanent couldn’t be any more pertinent than this summer.
Comparisons can be drawn between KP and the – on his day – exquisite Indian batsman VVS Laxman. For some reason or other VVS Laxman can look remarkably average. Yet when he faces Australia in his back yard or even ventures down under, he is beyond sublime. Similarly KP is a player who simply rises to the occasion when the biggest challenge possible is in front of him.
Think back to this year’s Twenty20 campaign. KP was in the midst of one of the biggest barren spells you could imagine. Yet come the end of the tournament he was voted the most valuable player in the tournament having succeeded in every single innings. That feat is testament to the character that KP is and I have a sneaky suspicion that come November 25th Kevin Pietersen will be firmly in the moment and putting Australia to the sword in Australian conditions that suit his aggressive style of batting.
Only time will tell. . .
Yes, I'm in total agreement. England have built up momentum without pietersen playing well, so if he clicks England will be too good for the Aussies. If he doesn't the two teams are evenly matched.
Posted by: Ed Lamb | Saturday, October 30, 2010 at 08:56