The Hindu : Sport : Nod for Pietersen

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 15, 2005

Sport

Sport

Nod for Pietersen

Ted Corbett

LONDON: : Dynamic Kevin Pietersen, at the same time the most controversial cricketer in England and the hope of its side, will make his debut at Lord's when the first Test begins next Thursday.

Pietersen has held off the challenge of Graham Thorpe, who has 100 Tests' experience behind him, after a week of media hype centred on his selection. Thorpe admits to a long-term back problem and that, as much as his 35 years and his decision to retire at the end of the summer, gave Pietersen his chance.

Pietersen played a decisive innings at the Oval on Tuesday when he top-scored with 74 out of England's 228. He began slowly and did not attempt big shots until the 40th over. This considered approach clearly impressed selectors who may have been worried that he would attempt to play a one-day innings in the Tests.

He said: "I think I ticked all the right boxes. I put pressure on myself ahead of that match. I was really nervous. Thank goodness I got a couple of runs."

Ready for challenge

Asked how he would deal with his first Test, he said: "I am going to go out and play. I am not going to build it up into something huge. At the same time I can't wait. I thrive on pressure, I love the big occasion and I am ready for the challenge"

He added: "I think Graham Thorpe is still a great player and that he can play for England again."

David Graveney, chairman of the selectors, said: "This is the most difficult decision I have been party to in my time as a selectors. Both Kevin and Graham made compelling cases for selection. Ultimately, we have opted for Kevin because of the form he showed against the Aussies in the one-day series, his excellent first class career record and the energy and enthusiasm he brings to the England dressing room. We firmly believe he has the potential to be a world class player and a match winner."

Pietersen, who will be No. 626 in England's list of Test men, left his native South Africa four years ago when he realised that the rules of the new multi-national society meant that a coloured player might be preferred to him and, backed by its coach Clive Rice, signed for Nottingham.

At Trent Bridge he played long innings and got out early in roughly equal numbers — and made friends and enemies by his brash attitude — and at the end of his contract last summer signed for Hampshire. At the Rose Bowl his special friend is its captain, one Shane Warne who will be an opponent in the five Ashes Tests.

Warne has helped Pietersen with his technique and one of the fascinations of the series will be to see whether Pietersen has learnt more about Warne than Warne has uncovered about him. Ian Bell keeps the batting spot he won against West Indies last year and Bangladesh this spring. Tremlett included

In the selection that could not have been anticipated at the start of the season, England has put Chris Tremlett, another Hampshire player, at the top of the list of young fast bowlers. Whether he is 6ft 8in, or his own more modest estimate of 6ft 7in, Tremlett, who comes from a cricketing family, uses every inch of his height to get bounce from the pitch.

He will be the first in line if there is an injury — and Simon Jones seems to collect injuries just by putting on his cricket gear — and on the right pitch he may make the starting line-up in preference to Jones or Matthew Hoggard.

The team (from): Michael Vaughan (captain), Marcus Trescothick, Ian Bell, Andrew Strauss, Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Flintoff, Geraint Jones, Ashley Giles, Matthew Hoggard, Steve Harmison, Simon Jones and Chris Tremlett.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport