Andy Flower still expects Kevin Pietersen to blossom
Andy Flower still expects Kevin Pietersen to make significant contribution to Bangladesh Test series
Wednesday, 10, Mar 2010 02:41
By Michael Younger.
England coach Andy Flower still expects big hitter Kevin Pietersen to emerge from his alarming slump in time to make a significant contribution to the Test series against Bangladesh.
Pietersen again failed to produce the big score his team-mates have been predicting since their arrival in Bangladesh with a breezy 20 against Bangladesh A before being bowled on the sweep, taking his total to 69 in seven innings on tour.
That represents a miserable return for a player of his talent, and Pietersen's lack of form and vulnerability to left-arm spin is fast becoming the story of England's tour.
But Flower has refused to criticise Pietersen after he was bowled for 20 during the second innings of the drawn three-day match against Bangladesh A in Chittagong. The England batsman made only 49 runs in six attempts during a barren one-day series, but Flower is still anticipating a major contribution from Pietersen.
Speaking after England's draw against Bangladesh A, Flower said: "He'd be the first to admit he would have liked to have stayed out there for three hours so there's no excuses in that regard.
"It's a pity he didn't spend some more time in the middle because I thought he looked quite good for his 20. It was a positive 20, an attacking 20, and that is the way he likes to play.
"I thought he showed some good signs. He's a world-class player with a great record behind him and we still expect a lot from him in these Test matches.
"I don't really agree with that cricketing phase 'one knock away', but I do think all the hard work he is putting in and the thought he is putting into his game will stand him in good stead in the future."