England v Pakistan 2010 / News
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England news
'Time in the middle' vital for Pietersen - Flower
Cricinfo staff
September 3, 2010
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Pakistan tour of England
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England coach Andy Flower has suggested that Kevin Pietersen's omission from the Twenty20 and one-day squads for the remaining international games of Pakistan's tour was prompted by the batsman's recent dip in form, and that the break might allow Pietersen to find some self-belief playing county cricket for Surrey ahead of a five-Test Ashes series in Australia this winter.
"Selection matters are always very tricky because you are talking about people's careers and their lives," said Flower. "In this particular one, it was very simply for ODI purposes and was a performance decision. Kevin would acknowledge himself he has underperformed over the last 12 to 24 months.
"And on the Twenty20 side, we decided to leave him out because there is a four-day game starting for Surrey on the day the second Twenty20 game takes place and with our priority being the Ashes we thought it best he gets the opportunity of four days of good cricket at The Oval on a good pitch and time in the middle.
"That will be very important for him to get his confidence back and to find the rhythm of batting for long times again."
England may also be without Stuart Broad for the Twenty20s in Cardiff on September 5 and 7 after the fast bowler suffered some groin discomfort during training. Broad will be reassessed on Saturday, and so could potentially still take part in the games, but Ajmal Shahzad has been called up as cover in case he does not recover in time.
Flower insisted his team are focussed on the forthcoming Twenty20 and one-day series despite the ongoing turmoil surrounding Pakistan. Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir will play no part in the games after being suspended by the ICC while investigations into allegations of spot-fixing continue.
"There has been a lot going on, some of it very unsavoury. No-one wants that sort of news on the front or back page. But we have to focus on playing the game. We have a Twenty20 game on Sunday which we are working towards and we want to keep it as simple as that. We don't want to live in a world of 'what ifs' and we are looking forward to the game on Sunday.
"We have to see the outcome of these investigations first but obviously it's not a very healthy position we seem to find ourselves in right now. But the game will survive. It's a great, great game, people love playing it and people love watching it and that's why it will survive."
© ESPN EMEA Ltd.
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I agree with bobmartin's comments completely. If KP's form does not return in the limited number of matches left surely this will put the selectors in a difficult predicament for Ashes selection. Do they reverse tack or do we go to Australia without our Talisman ? By the way what more does Jimmy Adams of Hampshire have to do to get some form of recognition by the selectors. Leading run scorer in 20/20 , 2nd highest in Pro 40 and in the last two Championship matches in division 1 has scored 196 and 193 and spent nearly 18 hours at the crease battling for his county. This is the sort of application England really needs. He opens in all forms of the game and yet in the 20/20 tomorrow we will probably go in with Kieswetter and Davis neither of whom are considered to be regular opening batsman. It beggers belief.
Posted byIf he fails to get "time in the middle", quite rightly he will stay dropped.
Posted byQuality players like KP do need time in the middle yes but not in the middle of nowhere in a county game here hardly there will be something to spur KP as all of us know he loves the lime light and is a performer of the big stag so it would better serve KP and England had he been persisted with in the limited over series with Pakistan
Posted by SuperSharky on (September 04 2010, 08:41 AM GMT)Does KP still have a contract playing for RCB (Bangalore Royal Challengers)??? Could he represent the English players for the Champions League?? I see that no English County team will play in this years Champions League held in South Africa. The Champions league are on an international level and could be just the right energy injection for KP to get back to his big hitting form. A lot of people hope to see him playing for RCB in the Champions League in South Africa. Kevin got some good averages and records playing on South African pitches.
Posted by Andy199 on (September 04 2010, 05:33 AM GMT)Getting dropped will do the trick... no doubt he is needed for England... Big players don't like their ego being hurt... KP has lost focus and importance ever since few other players started winning matches for England... This drop should only do him good... of course he needs to take it the right way... Without him England are really gambling with WC... Hope English aren't dreaming of continuing with the very mediocre keeper with horrible batting technique.. Kieswetter... apart from T20's where he can get away with a few hits and make a 50 once in a while.. he is not fit to play any form of Cricket with that kind of technique... Bopara is a faaaaar better player and has decent technique and attitude... Just imagine what happens if the magical Morgan loses form?? Collingwood scores ONLY when no one does :) so he is gonna fight a lone battle most of the times... and he might get closer to the target but might not win it ... WC is not T20, so pls bring your best in...
Posted by bobmartin on (September 03 2010, 22:11 PM GMT)"Time in the middle" Great phrase that isn't it. Does Flower really believe that KP will find his form and confidence playing in the second division of our county championship.. Some hopes. And what if he fails to get "time in the middle"... what then ?