sri lanka v england

[thebluefox]

1 of the best knocks ive ever seen at test level,kevin pietersen 151 beast of an innings . gives us a real chance of staying number 1

 

[neil999]

aahhh, woulda liked to have seen that, heard he was switch hitting it all over the show, good chance of winning this now if we can get a couple out before close of play

 

[Bruce Wayne]

He is an infuriating sod isn't he? Capable of innings of genius like this one intermingled with complete dross. With the bowlers doing so well though it's nice that the batsmen have joined the party this winter.

 

[BigBlueBalls]

You know you've dug in well when the bowlers having dominated are complaining to the umpires and stalling deliveries.

 

[linglong]

He is an infuriating sod isn't he? Capable of innings of genius like this one intermingled with complete dross. With the bowlers doing so well though it's nice that the batsmen have joined the party this winter.

Agreed,a natural talent with the work ethic of a dosser he is for my money the most talented batsman i've seen since King Viv but jesus he does my head in he really does.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

For me Lara had that crown. Used to love watching him bat, but KP is incredibly talented. You can't help but think that we're living in a real batters era at the moment. I mean Ian Bell averages what, 47 or something. He's not bad but he's not great either. The Aussies have been in transition after Warne and McGrath retired, India don't have a great attack, Pakistan are in transition after all of their troubles, NZ are weak now Bond has gone, the Windies are in terminal decline you feel and Sri Lanka are also weak after the loss of Vaas and Murali. Only South Africa have a reasonably strong bowling lineup I'd say, with Steyn very good.

So with that kind of environment I'd have wanted KP to have bossed things in the way a Ponting or Kallis did, or as you say a Richards before him. Whilst he's had a fine career an average of a couple higher than Ian Bell suggests he hasn't made the most of his incredible talent. I mean Cook doesn't have half as many shots as KP has but mentally he's much stronger.

 

[BigBlueBalls]

I was going to say Pietersen gets bored, but on reflection that is a little unfair, when he is pegged in and restricted he seems to get a bit anxious and start playing very questionable shots just to feel he is making an impact and then gives his wicket away.
Attacking Pietersen is a chess match of attrition, frustrate him for long enough and he will implode. Any lapse bowling and he can punish it, and when he gets into a groove his confidence up because he already has a few runs on the board and it saps the opposition - because when he does get in he racks up big scores fast. Deflating the bowlers and fielders. As well as then putting loads of pressure on their batters.

He makes for entertainment one way or another, love the switch hits.

 

[Elong]

Fantastic, one of my favourite players to watch (and try to emulate).

South Africa touring there in your summer, is going to be very tough. I'd imagine scores of 200 being par, they have a fantastic all round attack. Phillander reminded me of a young McGrath, Morkel has the Joel Garner thing going on, Steyn could be as good as Richard Hadlee. Tahir is an interesting leg spinner too, keep an eye out for him. They also have this young kid de Lange, built like a rugby forward, short run up, 95mph fiery bowler. They blew us out of the water.
Can't wait for that series!

 

[Walken]

if you ask any of the staff around the england team they will tell you no one trains harder than KP, seems to be more of a concentration thing, he can dominate a warne when focused, but will often switch off against some part time pie chucker

 

[Elong]

KP's fundimental problem isn't the amount of training, his fitness, his technique. It's his inability to play each ball on it's merit, one ball at a time.

 

[Walken]

theres defo a bit of that in him elong, but for all cook, bell, trotts merits, they cant dominate in the way KP can, thers no finer sight in english cricket than when this mans in full flow. I also dont think he is the selfish player sections of the media want us to beieve, he desperately wants to win

 

[icburns]

I've tried a few times to understand what's going on in a cricket match, but I'm still utterly lost. I don't much want to pollute this thread with my ignorance, so if someone wants to do their best to explain away, please PM me. Pictures of animals bumming are also welcome.

 

[McBain]

He's South African isn't he?

 

[Walken]

He's South African isn't he?

not when hes playn well hes not

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Sounds like KP and Cook finished it off comfortably. Blooming nuisance that they seem to have figured out how to play spin in Asia in the last match. Hope they don't forget it all for next winter in India.