Jason HeimPietersen too good
December 16th 2006 02:49
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Australia has dominated the current Ashes series. The series is virtually over, with Australia in a commanding position in the crucial third test. There is a distinct possibility Australia will become the first first team since the 1920s to win an Ashes series 5-0.
However there has been one constant thorn to the Australians. South African born Keven Pietersen has dominated the Australian attack, particularly legends Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath. Pietersen has been the one shining light for the beleaguered England team. Openers Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss have failed to convert promising starts, Ian Bell has been hit or miss, Paul Collingwood has been impressive but still has technical flaws and Andrew Flintoff has been sadly out of touch with the bat.
Australia have had no answer to the flamboyant Pietersen. He has scored 338 runs at an average of 68 and a strike rate of 58. No Australian bowler, knows how to counter the aggressive but increasingly maturing batsman. In the first test, Pietersen made 16 in the first innings before getting a poor LBW decision. In the second innings he made a brilliant 92, and made it through to stumps on the 4th day. However in the first over of the 5th day, he played a loose shot to Brett Lee and was dismissed. In the 2nd test, Pietersen was run out for 158 and in the second innings was bowled by a Warne full toss, attempting a terrible sweep. In Perth, he made 70, without any support, before throwing away his wicket whilst batting with the tail.
Australia have tried to dry up his runs, bowling negatively, without any success. Pietersen is more patient than he was in 2005. He has a questionable technique but an amazing eye. Australia love preying on players they believe mentally weak, and they swarm all over them. Pietersen has an aura about him. He is naturally confident, perhaps even cocky, but that is needed to stand up to this dominant, aggressive Australian team.
Like Viv Richards he has an intimidating manner at the crease, with his strong body language and unorthodox but attacking batsmanship. Pietersen is an impressive sight at the crease, with his hulking 6ft 5 presence.
Pietersen dictates the bowlers. Even the great Australian attack has been no match for him. He walks down the pitch to McGrath, treating him as a medium pacer, compared to the 550 wicket legend he is. Unlike others in the England team, he attacks Warne and goes down the pitch, smashing the greatest ever spin bowler all over the field. He takes on the short ball Lee thunders down, not scared of the fielders on the boundary.
Pietersen playes the game the way it should be, attacking and taking on the opposition. If the rest of the England team played like Pietersen, they wouldn't be 2-0 down in the Ashes.
However there has been one constant thorn to the Australians. South African born Keven Pietersen has dominated the Australian attack, particularly legends Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath. Pietersen has been the one shining light for the beleaguered England team. Openers Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss have failed to convert promising starts, Ian Bell has been hit or miss, Paul Collingwood has been impressive but still has technical flaws and Andrew Flintoff has been sadly out of touch with the bat.
Australia have had no answer to the flamboyant Pietersen. He has scored 338 runs at an average of 68 and a strike rate of 58. No Australian bowler, knows how to counter the aggressive but increasingly maturing batsman. In the first test, Pietersen made 16 in the first innings before getting a poor LBW decision. In the second innings he made a brilliant 92, and made it through to stumps on the 4th day. However in the first over of the 5th day, he played a loose shot to Brett Lee and was dismissed. In the 2nd test, Pietersen was run out for 158 and in the second innings was bowled by a Warne full toss, attempting a terrible sweep. In Perth, he made 70, without any support, before throwing away his wicket whilst batting with the tail.
Australia have tried to dry up his runs, bowling negatively, without any success. Pietersen is more patient than he was in 2005. He has a questionable technique but an amazing eye. Australia love preying on players they believe mentally weak, and they swarm all over them. Pietersen has an aura about him. He is naturally confident, perhaps even cocky, but that is needed to stand up to this dominant, aggressive Australian team.
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Like Viv Richards he has an intimidating manner at the crease, with his strong body language and unorthodox but attacking batsmanship. Pietersen is an impressive sight at the crease, with his hulking 6ft 5 presence.
Pietersen dictates the bowlers. Even the great Australian attack has been no match for him. He walks down the pitch to McGrath, treating him as a medium pacer, compared to the 550 wicket legend he is. Unlike others in the England team, he attacks Warne and goes down the pitch, smashing the greatest ever spin bowler all over the field. He takes on the short ball Lee thunders down, not scared of the fielders on the boundary.
Pietersen playes the game the way it should be, attacking and taking on the opposition. If the rest of the England team played like Pietersen, they wouldn't be 2-0 down in the Ashes.
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