I'm not one to engage in hyperbole, but Kevin Pietersen's form is utterly dreadful, and barring one or two Twenty20 innings and a knock of 80 against South Africa, what is going on?
Kevin Pietersen in brighter days!
Much has been said on every blog and in every newspaper about his recent travails, since July last year he's averaging in the mid twenties across all forms, and that average isn't going in the right direction. I read on The Corridor that he hasn't passed 50 in a one day international since 2008 - I'm worried!
It could just be a dip in form, but this is getting on for a very lengthy dip in form, and what's more worrying is the way he's playing, not just that he's not making scores. His weakness against left-arm spin is still very much to the fore, but I'm also concerned at his manner at the crease and his shot selection. When he used to exude confidence at the crease, now he looks fidgety and nervous.
Maybe this is just a consequence of a bad run of form, and he just needs time to sort it out, I certainly hope that is the case. The two tests against Bangladesh must now be seen as crucial to the rest of the year. He needs to spend hours at the crease to find his mojo again.
On the plus side, he's been in terrible form and yet England haven't been in terminal decline, he's a wonderful player to have in good touch but we've proved we have other match winning batsmen to fill his boots for now.
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4 comments:
He's turned proper English hasn't he?
Ha! But yes, basically, he's spent too much time in England. I wonder if the same fate will befall Kieswetter and Trott?!
Got out to ANOTHER part-time left-arm spinner today!! I think you're right, the two Tests against Bangladesh are now crucial. Some people are calling for him to be dropped, but he needs those two matches more than ever.
Also agree that the England team have learned to live without him to an extent. That wasn't the case 2-3 years ago, and is a credit to Strauss and his team.
I can't believe this, its the most ridiculous run of similar dismissals I've ever seen! I'm not sure about dropping him, the old adage of 'form is temporary, class is permanent' seems more applicable to him than most - we know exactly what he's capable of (or hopefully we know part of what he's capable of!) so I don't know if we can risk jettisoning him.
We're more of a team these days and I do think, as you say, that has to be put at least in part down to Strauss, and Flower too.
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