Pietersen fails in last innings before Ashes
Kevin Pietersen short of runs before first Test
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Thursday, 02, Jul 2009 09:31
Kevin Pietersen's form ahead of the Ashes will be a concern for England fans as the batsman failed once again in the warm-up game against Warwickshire.
The 28-year-old could only manage one run in the first innings and was out for just six in the second innings today after playing a speculative shot outside his off-stump, which saw him caught at second slip.
It was the last chance for Pietersen to play a competitive knock before the first Ashes Test at Cardiff next Wednesday and he will now have to rely on practice in the nets to get ready for the big game.
Apart from Pietersen, the rest of the England team had a productive day. Captain Andrew Strauss struck 61 and Ravi Bopara hit an unbeaten 88 and was joined at the crease at the end of the day by Paul Collingowood (21 not out).
James Anderson showed he was ready for the Aussies as he claimed figures of 5/34 to help bowl out Warwickshire for just 102.
The returning Andrew Flintoff chipped in with nine overs and encouragingly took two wickets. Monty Panesar enhanced his chances of being selected for the first Test as he took three wickets for just 10 runs.
Anderson admitted he was glad to have Flintoff back in the team and was looking forward to teaming-up with the all-rounder against Australia.
"If you have someone like Fred in your team it is hard not to give him the ball when you need something to happen. He's stepped up in the past and I've done it in last couple of series and I think it would be nice for Straussy if we are both on top of our games," said Anderson.
"As everybody saw in today's match, he brings something different. We were guessing in the field that he must have been pushing 90mph so it's fantastic to get him back and bowling aggressively."