Pietersen has dig at struggling Australia
Kevin Pietersen already looking ahead to 2009 Ashes series
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Saturday, 25, Oct 2008 08:43
Kevin Pietersen has started the war-of-words ahead of next year's Ashes by admitted he thinks Australia are a much weaker team than the last Ashes series.
The Aussies are reeling from a humiliating 320 run defeat at the hands of India last week and the defeat highlighted the fact the once all-mighty Australia have so far failed to replace some of their legendary players who have now retired.
England were hammered 5-0 in the 2006 Ashes series in 2006, but the likes of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Justin Langer and Adam Gilchrist, who all played a key part in that win, have all retired since then.
"There is still a long way to go before we play them and there is room for improvement - but they certainly aren't the team they were when we played against them last year. Definitely not," said Pietersen.
"They took Test cricket to a new level with the side that they had and absolutely hammered us. They really hurt us. But the side that is playing for Australia now is certainly not the one we played against two years ago.
"They don't have Glenn McGrath they don't have Adam Gilchrist they are missing some pretty dangerous players. They are missing Justin Langer at the top of the order."
Australia are struggling in particular in the spin department since Warne, who claimed 708 Test wickets, retired. Reports have suggested the great leg-spinner may be prepared to come back for the Ashes series next summer.
Pietersen revealed he had already received a text from Warne saying he might play, but the England captain felt that Warne's possible selection would be a "real backwards step" by Australia.