By Adam Appleton
Many of England’s batsmen find themselves under serious pressure after poor performances against Pakistan, none more so than Kevin Pietersen.
The three-match series – which has been taking place in the United Arab Emirates due to the current security concerns in Pakistan – has seen Pakistan go 2-0 ahead and take a commanding position in the third match.
Such a result has seen blame fly around, much of which has been squarely aimed at England’s batsmen.
Their numbers so far do not make for good reading, they have managing only 352 and 399 runs overall in the respective matches.
Kevin Pietersen is taking a good brunt of this, not only due to his lack of runs but because of his dismissals on this tour.
In the First Test he incredibly decided to hook Umar Gul whilst still on nought, giving away his wicket as he was caught at deep square leg.
Then in both of his last two innings’, the old fallacy of slow left-arm round-the-wicket bowling has haunted him with Rehman trapping him in front on both occasions.
What worries England fans is that he has not learnt from his mistakes. This weakness has been spoken about for at least two years now, yet he has either not done enough to counter it, or is simply unable to.
Obviously only having mustered 49 runs from 5 innings’ at an average of 9.8 and a top-score of 32 does not stand in his favour.
In fact, there is a favourable chance that these technical failures might be forgiven had he managed 300 runs in the series.
What does stand in his favour is that he is not the only horribly under-performing batsman in the team.
He is also the most senior, therefore the most embedded run-maker that is struggling, meaning he will likely get more chances.
Eoin Morgan and Ian Bell also find themselves under scrutiny, particularly the former as he is the most junior batsman and looks like he is finding the adaptation to Test match cricket difficult.
Indeed Morgan will likely be the first to get dropped even if there are several strugglers simply because he is the most junior.
This may well save Pietersen from further scrutiny as the selectors will not want to get rid of him likely having been the cornerstone of the batting line-up since he burst onto the scene against Australia in the 2005 Ashes.
However, it could also add to the pressure.
As he is this senior figure, many will say that he should start acting and more importantly batting as such.
He does not seem to consider employing a Plan B batting style if he fails to come in and dominate the bowling straight away as has happened too many times recently and will continue to happen if his confidence is low, which it surely will be.
England need more frequent scores from him as he is filling this senior role. If he is scoring runs, the pressure will be off players like Eoin Morgan, enabling them to play a little more freely, the same way Trescothick and Vaughan did for Pietersen in his early days.
This is not the first time that Pietersen has come under the cosh.
Going into the 2010/11 Ashes in Australia, both Pietersen and Cook were under dire pressure to re-prove their worth to the team after both had lean patches in the run-up.
766 runs and an Ashes victory later Cook had shoved the critics words back down their throats.
Pietersen’s own contribution was comparatively quiet, but in a normal series 360 runs at an average of 60 would be a clear warning of form.
But he out-did this with a superb home series against India as England took a 4-0 whitewash and the Number 1 Test Team ranking.
Scoring 533 runs in 6 innings with 2 centuries, Pietersen was leading run-scorer, edging out Ian Bell and Rahul Dravid.
This shows that Pietersen has had form in the past year and perhaps, like the rest of the English batsmen, he has simply struggled to make runs on the wickets in the UAE.
England selectors and fans alike will hope this is the case because it will be a sign of weakness if it comes to the point where Pietersen has to be sacrificed.
Not only is this because there is no like-for-like replacement for him, but because he is such a gifted individual once he is in flow.
He is arguably the most talented batsmen of his generation along with AB De Villiers and Michael Clarke and England need him firing out runs to maintain their Number 1 Test status.
ENDS
Showing posts with label Test Match Cricket. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Test Match Cricket. Show all posts
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
Friday, 12 August 2011
My England Dream Team XI
After having read my last article, another friend of mine, Toby, asked me if I could pick an England Dream Team XI. In other words, I was asked to provide my best, most definitive England side. Well, after much research and with many new facts learnt, presented is my attempt at an answer. I decided to limit my search to post WWI players, but will also give notable mentions to the greats before that time.
PLAYER Test Runs/Avr Test Wkts/Avr Matches
1. Jack Hobbs 5,410 @ 56.94 1 @ 165.00 61
Having scored 199 first-class hundreds and 61,760 runs at the same level, the least I can do is include one of the greatest opening batsmen in this team. He is a great of his and any generation with the bat who could also bowl at first-class level.
2. Herbert Sutcliffe 4,555 @ 60.73 54
Hobbs’ opening partner, and he tried his very best to overshadow his former colleague with the 6th best average in test history, and the best by an Englishman. He is also considered the best “bad wicket” player of all-time, a useful attribute in the days of uncovered wickets that could be two-paced on a good day.
3. Len Hutton (C) 6,971 @ 56.67 3 @ 77.33 79
The man who held the record for the highest individual score in a test match record for 20 years after his superb 364, oh, and it was in an Ashes Test Match too. A great leader and has my trust and faith as captain.
4. Wally Hammond 7,249 @ 58.14 83 @ 37.80 85
Joint with Colin Cowdrey and Geoffrey Boycott, he has the highest number of hundreds by an Englishman at 22. One of these was a brilliant 336*, which was a record score until Hutton surpassed it 5 years later in 1938. In his obituary in the Wisden Almanack, they claimed he was one of the four best batsmen in history.
5. Kevin Pietersen 6,123 @ 49.37 5 @ 126.20 74
England have never had a batsman like him, pure and simple. He possesses unparalleled talent in English cricketing history. The shots he comes with are often unconventional, but nearly always brilliant. He is a man for the big occasion with big hundreds against the big teams. His fantastic charisma and ego is a double-edged sword to his personality, allowing him to dominate bowlers with arrogance, but, just as equally enabling his bad temper to surface itself in bad moments. At times he looks simply unstoppable.
6. Matt Prior 2,278 @ 43.79 44
Wicket-keeper/batsmen are the only wicket-keepers accepted in Test Cricket nowadays, this wasn’t always the case. Taking this into consideration, I have to go for the current keeper, because over the past 2 years he has been nigh on flawless with gloves and bat. He is a real cornerstone of the team and is becoming more and more of a Mr Reliable.
7. Ian Botham 5,200 @ 33.54 383 @ 28.40 102
Beefy narrowly goes in ahead of Flintoff in this team. This is due to the fact that both had personas, both had the incredible performances that marked them out, both even had Ashes named after them. Put plainly, Botham’s numbers are better and show more effectiveness. He is England’s highest ever Test wicket-taker which helps him to no end.
8. Graeme Swann 745 @ 24.03 140 @ 27.72 32
He has become the saviour of English spin bowling, the man England turn to for inspiration right now. An uncanny knack for wickets in the first over of his spell mixed with a brilliantly positive, yet at times humorously self-deprecating charisma endears him to all that follow England. More than useful with the bat as well which only adds to his popularity.
9. Harold Larwood 485 @ 19.40 78 @ 28.35 21
Arguably the man that stopped Don Bradman from averaging 100. His integral part in the “Bodyline” or “Fast Leg Theory” Ashes series of 1932-33 cut Bradman’s average down to 99.94 from what would have been 104.76. Of course he was not the solo performer, but the main protagonist as he was England’s quickest bowler of the time and possibly of all times. Sadly only played 22 tests as he refused to apologise after having been made the scapegoat of the Bodyline tactics. But his 1427 wickets at 17.51 in first-class cricket prove his abilities more than appropriately.
10. Fred Trueman 981 @ 13.81 307 @ 21.57 67
The original fiery Yorshireman. He was a rapid bowler on his best day and still mighty quick on his worse. The first Englishman to reach 300 test wickets. His popularity saw him named the “greatest living Yorshireman” by Prime Minister Harold Wilson. He - like Pietersen after him - ran into trouble with English officials on a few occasions, accusing them of snobbery.
11. Bob Willis 840 @ 11.50 325 @ 25.20 90
Ian Botham quoted big Bob as the “only world-class fast bowler in my time as an England player”. His tremendously long run-up intimidated batsmen from the outset and he frequently played well beyond the pain barrier for his country. Perhaps he was a gangly, ungainly fast bowler, but his pace was great and the bounce he could generate was even more so. He sits behind Botham as England’s 2nd highest wicket-taker.
Notable omitted players –
Opening Batsmen; Geoffrey Boycott, Marcus Trescothick, Alistair Cook, Michael Atherton, John Edrich.
Middle Order Batsmen; David Gower, Colin Cowdrey, Graham Gooch, Michael Vaughan, Ken Barrington, Graeme Thorpe.
Wicket-Keepers; Alec Stewart, Alan Knott, Jack Russell.
All-Rounders; Andrew Flintoff, Ted Dexter, Dennis Amiss.
Spinners – Jim Laker.
Fast Bowlers – James Anderson, Darren Gough, Steven Harmison, Andrew Caddick, Chris Old, Devon Malcolm.
Many of these selections were highly difficult to make. Leaving out the likes of Alec Stewart, David Gower, Andrew Flintoff and Geoffrey Boycott were very hard to decide and they were not decisions easily taken.
England’s deepest strength in depth over the ages definitely appears to be their opening batsmen. Hobbs and Sutcliffe were eventually my men of choice because they had phenomenal records. On top of this, the issue of player’s playing in tandem with each other would be no problem for these two as they forged an incredible partnership for many years.
Omitting batsmen such as David Gower, Colin Cowdrey and Graham Gooch proved an arduous process. Gower was arguably the most talented batsmen of his generation bar Vivian Richards. On the other hand, Colin Cowdrey is one of the three men on 22 test hundreds, the English record and was a cornerstone of the side he played in. Gooch is a fabled run-maker the likes of which England were lucky to have and may not see for a while.
Hutton, Hammond and Pietersen emerged as my middle order through a mixture of unparalleled performances and figures over a number of years. Wally Hammond is one of the other three men on 22 test hundreds, one of which was a brilliant and unbeaten 336* which was only surpassed by Len Hutton’s 364 five years later. This score by Hutton remains the highest individual score in a test match by any Englishman and the 5th highest in cricketing history after Sobers, Hayden and Lara. The fact that Hutton maintained such a fantastic average in spite of being his team’s captain speaks volumes for just how great a player he was.
Having already justified my wicket keeping and all-rounder selections, I shall now move onto the bowlers.
It was a tight call between Jim Laker and Graeme Swann for the team’s spinner. It may well be down to the bias of having seen Swann play that gets him my selection of Laker. Laker himself was a superb bowler, anyone that takes 19 wickets in a test match should be held in high regard. However, I feel in a batsmen friendly era of cricket, Swann has become a real danger to any batsmen on just about any wicket. He is also a more than useful addition to the end of the batting line-up.
Out of the fast bowler’s chosen, Harold Larwood is likely the most contentious and debatable call. Larwood was the front man of the famous Bodyline series in 1932/33. His fearful speed terrorised the Australian’s as well as cricketing officials, but it did work. To me, any man that could keep the incomparable Don Bradman as far under his average (without this series, Bradman would have averaged 104.76 instead of the 99.94 he ended up on) as Larwood did merits a place in this team whether he played many test matches or not.
Trueman and Willis were near-automatic picks for me. Not only are they the 2nd and 3rd on the English list of Test wicket takers, but they also achieved these wickets at outstanding averages. This edges them ahead of bowlers like Gough, Old and Malcolm in my eyes.
I decided it unfair to put the greats of the 19th Century such as; W.G. Grace, Frank Wooley, C.B. Fry, Sydney Barnes and Tom Richardson in my team as pre-WWI cricket was a completely different game in that it was amateur when few nations played test cricket as the game was still in it’s infancy. Having said that, these men are the pioneers of English cricket and should be treated with respect, as they are legends of the game, and indeed of English history.
So there you have it, that Toby is my final decision on an all-time England XI. Thank you for your request, the research for the article was both enlightening and highly interesting to read into.
Thursday, 4 August 2011
England 05’ and 11’ vs Australia 05’ and India 11’
So my friend Andrew asked me an interesting question earlier. If able to make composite teams, who would I pick for England – based solely on current form at the time – if I had the victorious Ashes team from 2005 and the current 2011 crop together? And, who would I pick to play against them if I had the Australia 05’ team and the Indian team England are currently up against.
Well here goes, it’s tough to pick with and injured Sehwag, so I’ll have to omit him on this occasion.
England
1. Marcus Trescothick (05’ Opening Batsmen)
One of the best openers these shores have seen, a fantastic batsmen who took the attack to McGrath, Lee and Co in 2005. Much missed ever since succumbing to his stress illness.
2. Andrew Strauss (05’ Opening Batsmen, 11’ Captain)
Joined Trescothick in 2005 and scored many runs in that series. His captaincy vs India so far has been superb, we only hope his batting will soon follow it up.
3. Jonathon Trott (11’ Batsmen)
England were struggling for a solid No.3 batsmen. Then came Trott in 2009, he hasn’t looked back since. 2nd highest average in test history. Only made one fifty at Lord’s but struggled with shoulder injury at Trent Bridge.
4. Kevin Pietersen (05’ Batsmen)
Despite playing well above his average for the first time in a long time, I went for the 05’ Pietersen. This is because this was a Pietersen new to the scene, with no fear. He blasted McGrath, Warne and Lee. He also played one of the best backs to the wall hundreds I’ve ever seen at the Oval. A Pietersen before the left-arm spin “weakness”.
5. Ian Bell (11’ Batsmen)
Fresh off a sublime hundred and looking at ease at the crease, Bell has finally developed into the player we were hoping for and boy does he look good!
6. Matt Prior (11’ Wicket-keeper, Batsmen)
No brainer! This man is in the form of his life with bat and gloves. Churned out runs at an aggressive strike rate and he just doesn’t seem to make mistakes behind the stumps anymore. Long may it continue!
7. Andrew Flintoff (05’ All-Rounder)
Player of the Series in 2005 for a reason. The best all-rounder England have had since Botham tormented Australia with bat and ball all series long and made a vital contribution.
8. Stuart Broad (11’ All-Rounder)
Another man in ridiculous form. For once with bat and ball. Averaging 60.6 so far this series and has already claimed 15 wickets. Might impressive stuff!
9. Graeme Swann (11’ Off Spinner)
Yet to hit his stride with the ball in this series, but is indubitably world-class. Has provided useful runs too.
10. Simon Jones (05’ Seam Bowler)
One of the true tragedies of English seam bowling. A fantastic performer in the 05’ Ashes. Able to swing the ball both ways and reverse an old ball. Unfortunately never able to shake off his injury problems since.
11. James Anderson (11’ Seam Bowler)
A similar bowler to Jones, but probably has more disguise to his variations. 2nd best bowler on the planet after Dale Steyn at the moment and it is hard to argue with that!
Australia 05’ and India 11’
1. Justin Langer (05’ Opening Batsmen)
Grit may well have been his middle name. Grinded out countless inning’s and played some great one’s in the 05’ Ashes. A fighter.
2. Rahul Dravid (11’ Opening Batsmen)
The Wall has become a phenomenon of his own. Constantly overshadowed by the No.4 but this series he has shone in the face of recent criticism with 2 great hundreds in vain.
3. Ricky Ponting (05’ Batsmen and Captain)
Another determined individual. Who can forget his match-saving 156 at Old Trafford? A much-maligned skipper, but had tough boots to walk in.
4. Sachin Tendulkar (11’ Batsmen)
Despite the fact he has not found form yet in England, you cannot argue with the inclusion of arguably the greatest batsman ever. A pure player. 56 at Trent Bridge could act as a warning to England.
5. VVS Laxman (11’Batsmen)
The most understated of the Indian Big 3, but a player of vast class and poise. Starting to look good enough to worry England.
6. Michael Clark (05' Batsmen)
An excellent stroke-maker and probably the best player of spin in the world right now. He is a man to be regarded highly.
7. Adam Gilchrist (05’ Wicket-keeper, Batsmen)
Undoubtedly the great keeper/batsman not only of his generation, but ever. An integral part of the all-conquering Aussie team. Only Viv Richards would manfully compete with his aggression and strike rate.
8. Shane Warne (05’ Leg Spinner)
The best leg spinner of all time. No mug with the bat either, in fact probably one of the best to never score a hundred. But his performances with the ball more than speak for themselves.
9. Brett Lee (05’ Seamer)
With Shoaib Akhtar, the fastest bowler of his and most generations. Full of passion and grit as well as being a superb competitor and gentleman.
10. Zaheer Khan (11’ Seamer)
May not have been too active so far with injury preventing him. But when he did bowl he looked dangerous and we all know what he can do when fit.
11. Glenn McGrath (05’ Seamer)
One of the best and most accurate seamers ever, able to take wickets on any deck with his persistant line, length and deceptive pace.
A number of places in these teams were tough to call and justify. The fact that Zaheer Khan has so far been elusive this series makes his selection contentious, but everyone is aware of what he can do when able.
England beat the Aussies and are beating India yet - pound for pound, player for player - you’d probably say the Australian/Indian team are stronger, even without Sehwag around.
Embarrassingly for India, I have picked the only Indian batsmen that have both played well and played the short ball appropriately. Yuvraj, Mukund and Raina have all struggled to master the bouncer.
There is also a difference between England beating Australia and England beating India. In my option, the gap between England and Australia was the two runs they lost by at Edgbaston. England went a long way to winning the Ashes that day, if Australia had won, I’m sure they would have taken the series having gone 2-0 up.
India on the other hand, have managed to lose by a cumulative of over 500 runs over two matches so far in this series. That shows a vast gap in ability if you ask me.
Well here goes, it’s tough to pick with and injured Sehwag, so I’ll have to omit him on this occasion.
England
1. Marcus Trescothick (05’ Opening Batsmen)
One of the best openers these shores have seen, a fantastic batsmen who took the attack to McGrath, Lee and Co in 2005. Much missed ever since succumbing to his stress illness.
2. Andrew Strauss (05’ Opening Batsmen, 11’ Captain)
Joined Trescothick in 2005 and scored many runs in that series. His captaincy vs India so far has been superb, we only hope his batting will soon follow it up.
3. Jonathon Trott (11’ Batsmen)
England were struggling for a solid No.3 batsmen. Then came Trott in 2009, he hasn’t looked back since. 2nd highest average in test history. Only made one fifty at Lord’s but struggled with shoulder injury at Trent Bridge.
4. Kevin Pietersen (05’ Batsmen)
Despite playing well above his average for the first time in a long time, I went for the 05’ Pietersen. This is because this was a Pietersen new to the scene, with no fear. He blasted McGrath, Warne and Lee. He also played one of the best backs to the wall hundreds I’ve ever seen at the Oval. A Pietersen before the left-arm spin “weakness”.
5. Ian Bell (11’ Batsmen)
Fresh off a sublime hundred and looking at ease at the crease, Bell has finally developed into the player we were hoping for and boy does he look good!
6. Matt Prior (11’ Wicket-keeper, Batsmen)
No brainer! This man is in the form of his life with bat and gloves. Churned out runs at an aggressive strike rate and he just doesn’t seem to make mistakes behind the stumps anymore. Long may it continue!
7. Andrew Flintoff (05’ All-Rounder)
Player of the Series in 2005 for a reason. The best all-rounder England have had since Botham tormented Australia with bat and ball all series long and made a vital contribution.
8. Stuart Broad (11’ All-Rounder)
Another man in ridiculous form. For once with bat and ball. Averaging 60.6 so far this series and has already claimed 15 wickets. Might impressive stuff!
9. Graeme Swann (11’ Off Spinner)
Yet to hit his stride with the ball in this series, but is indubitably world-class. Has provided useful runs too.
10. Simon Jones (05’ Seam Bowler)
One of the true tragedies of English seam bowling. A fantastic performer in the 05’ Ashes. Able to swing the ball both ways and reverse an old ball. Unfortunately never able to shake off his injury problems since.
11. James Anderson (11’ Seam Bowler)
A similar bowler to Jones, but probably has more disguise to his variations. 2nd best bowler on the planet after Dale Steyn at the moment and it is hard to argue with that!
Australia 05’ and India 11’
1. Justin Langer (05’ Opening Batsmen)
Grit may well have been his middle name. Grinded out countless inning’s and played some great one’s in the 05’ Ashes. A fighter.
2. Rahul Dravid (11’ Opening Batsmen)
The Wall has become a phenomenon of his own. Constantly overshadowed by the No.4 but this series he has shone in the face of recent criticism with 2 great hundreds in vain.
3. Ricky Ponting (05’ Batsmen and Captain)
Another determined individual. Who can forget his match-saving 156 at Old Trafford? A much-maligned skipper, but had tough boots to walk in.
4. Sachin Tendulkar (11’ Batsmen)
Despite the fact he has not found form yet in England, you cannot argue with the inclusion of arguably the greatest batsman ever. A pure player. 56 at Trent Bridge could act as a warning to England.
5. VVS Laxman (11’Batsmen)
The most understated of the Indian Big 3, but a player of vast class and poise. Starting to look good enough to worry England.
6. Michael Clark (05' Batsmen)
An excellent stroke-maker and probably the best player of spin in the world right now. He is a man to be regarded highly.
7. Adam Gilchrist (05’ Wicket-keeper, Batsmen)
Undoubtedly the great keeper/batsman not only of his generation, but ever. An integral part of the all-conquering Aussie team. Only Viv Richards would manfully compete with his aggression and strike rate.
8. Shane Warne (05’ Leg Spinner)
The best leg spinner of all time. No mug with the bat either, in fact probably one of the best to never score a hundred. But his performances with the ball more than speak for themselves.
9. Brett Lee (05’ Seamer)
With Shoaib Akhtar, the fastest bowler of his and most generations. Full of passion and grit as well as being a superb competitor and gentleman.
10. Zaheer Khan (11’ Seamer)
May not have been too active so far with injury preventing him. But when he did bowl he looked dangerous and we all know what he can do when fit.
11. Glenn McGrath (05’ Seamer)
One of the best and most accurate seamers ever, able to take wickets on any deck with his persistant line, length and deceptive pace.
A number of places in these teams were tough to call and justify. The fact that Zaheer Khan has so far been elusive this series makes his selection contentious, but everyone is aware of what he can do when able.
England beat the Aussies and are beating India yet - pound for pound, player for player - you’d probably say the Australian/Indian team are stronger, even without Sehwag around.
Embarrassingly for India, I have picked the only Indian batsmen that have both played well and played the short ball appropriately. Yuvraj, Mukund and Raina have all struggled to master the bouncer.
There is also a difference between England beating Australia and England beating India. In my option, the gap between England and Australia was the two runs they lost by at Edgbaston. England went a long way to winning the Ashes that day, if Australia had won, I’m sure they would have taken the series having gone 2-0 up.
India on the other hand, have managed to lose by a cumulative of over 500 runs over two matches so far in this series. That shows a vast gap in ability if you ask me.
Sunday, 24 July 2011
PIETERSEN GIVES US A DECLARATION OF HIS MAJESTY
Despite all the critics that have been on his back for so long now, today’s brilliance showed us all how much love the England fans have for a run-scoring, full-flowing Kevin Pietersen. It was a joy to behold watching the Lord’s crowd back him all the way to his eventual 202*.
He may have or have not gotten luck with a referral that went in his favour when Rahul Dravid claimed a “catch” at leg slip with Pietersen on 49. With the video replay being inconclusive however, the benefit of the doubt was given to Pietersen. But once this chance passed, he took advantage and did what all great batsmen do; fill their boots and make big runs for their teams.
On Day 1, conditions forced a more disciplined showing from England’s No. 4. It was a shade of his game he has not worn often, but this did not show. He left wide balls and concentrated on playing balls off his body expertly. The determination that went into his innings shows by the fact that it took him 134 balls to reach his 50. That said - within the next 188 balls - we then saw much more of the old Kevin Pietersen that shocked the world and burst on to the scene with that ridiculous haircut in 2005 as he managed to dispatch the rest of his 152 runs.
The only man to rival Pietersen’s sensational day was Praveen Kumar, who managed to claim his first Test Match 5 wicket-haul. He managed this through great swing bowling - in spite of his lack of true pace – to remove Trott and Broad with late in-swinging LBW’s as well as Bell, Morgan and Prior edging behind.
It was highly impressive, because he stepped up on a day where India were missing their best bowler by far, Zaheer Khan and a day when Harbhajan proved ineffective and failed to claim any English scalps.
Pietersen cannot lay claim to owning the day’s batting spectacle single-handedly though. He was supported early on with a solid 70 by fellow converted South African Jonathan Trott. Once Trott departed, Bell followed with a crafted 46.
What followed was a free-flowing partnership with an in form Matt Prior who fired his way to a speedy, aggressive and impressive 71 from 93 deliveries. Even Graeme Swann managed a cameo 24 at just under a run per ball. It seemed that he was almost encouraging and challenging Pietersen to compete.
Pietersen though, was all too happy to compete and blasted his way to his double hundred with four shots of sheer magnificence. The first a blasted 4 straight down the ground. Then, an even more powerful six over Raina’s head into the Member’s Stand at Lords. The third was again straight, but was stopped short of the boundary for 2. Lastly a short and wide delivery was punished through the covers as Pietersen celebrated his fantastic innings, though it was plain to see his relief at having played such a vital knock. Combined, these efforts allowed England to declare in a great position.
The odd moment of the day had to be given to the dismissal of Eoin Morgan. Given caught behind, when action replays and snicko indicated that the ball only hit his pad before carrying behind. He later claimed he hit it, to stop claims that he thought he had been given LBW.
Irony also struck when Harbhajan couldn’t refer an LBW appeal given not out against Graeme Swann that replays showed would have been given out. Serves the Indian Cricket Board right!
He may have or have not gotten luck with a referral that went in his favour when Rahul Dravid claimed a “catch” at leg slip with Pietersen on 49. With the video replay being inconclusive however, the benefit of the doubt was given to Pietersen. But once this chance passed, he took advantage and did what all great batsmen do; fill their boots and make big runs for their teams.
On Day 1, conditions forced a more disciplined showing from England’s No. 4. It was a shade of his game he has not worn often, but this did not show. He left wide balls and concentrated on playing balls off his body expertly. The determination that went into his innings shows by the fact that it took him 134 balls to reach his 50. That said - within the next 188 balls - we then saw much more of the old Kevin Pietersen that shocked the world and burst on to the scene with that ridiculous haircut in 2005 as he managed to dispatch the rest of his 152 runs.
The only man to rival Pietersen’s sensational day was Praveen Kumar, who managed to claim his first Test Match 5 wicket-haul. He managed this through great swing bowling - in spite of his lack of true pace – to remove Trott and Broad with late in-swinging LBW’s as well as Bell, Morgan and Prior edging behind.
It was highly impressive, because he stepped up on a day where India were missing their best bowler by far, Zaheer Khan and a day when Harbhajan proved ineffective and failed to claim any English scalps.
Pietersen cannot lay claim to owning the day’s batting spectacle single-handedly though. He was supported early on with a solid 70 by fellow converted South African Jonathan Trott. Once Trott departed, Bell followed with a crafted 46.
What followed was a free-flowing partnership with an in form Matt Prior who fired his way to a speedy, aggressive and impressive 71 from 93 deliveries. Even Graeme Swann managed a cameo 24 at just under a run per ball. It seemed that he was almost encouraging and challenging Pietersen to compete.
Pietersen though, was all too happy to compete and blasted his way to his double hundred with four shots of sheer magnificence. The first a blasted 4 straight down the ground. Then, an even more powerful six over Raina’s head into the Member’s Stand at Lords. The third was again straight, but was stopped short of the boundary for 2. Lastly a short and wide delivery was punished through the covers as Pietersen celebrated his fantastic innings, though it was plain to see his relief at having played such a vital knock. Combined, these efforts allowed England to declare in a great position.
The odd moment of the day had to be given to the dismissal of Eoin Morgan. Given caught behind, when action replays and snicko indicated that the ball only hit his pad before carrying behind. He later claimed he hit it, to stop claims that he thought he had been given LBW.
Irony also struck when Harbhajan couldn’t refer an LBW appeal given not out against Graeme Swann that replays showed would have been given out. Serves the Indian Cricket Board right!
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