The Surfer

He likes to take a full part and his value in the Indian Premier League is also tied to his skill as an allrounder. However, if he continues to go the way he is, his desire to be an allrounder will diminish his all-round skills, as he takes far from a full part in games. He has retired from Test cricket to reduce his workload so he can play as an allrounder in the short forms but here he is - injured again.

Pietersen’s continuing lack of productivity was just about the only irritation for Flower, who conceded after the match that his star batsman was “worried” about his form. To add to the frustration, he fell to a left-arm spinner again yesterday, although he seemed less than pleased to be given out leg-before on the front foot to Abdur Razzak. Ten years ago it would not have been given out but times have changed and replays showed that Pietersen’s stride was a big one, but that the ball was straight enough.

You seem to have discovered your vintage form, if experts are to be believed ...

Lalit Modi's right when he says that people can no longer afford to take days off to humour such a habit. Maintaining tradition is one thing, but is it really worth risking extinction for it? When probes have been sent to Mars and you can voice-chat in real time with someone in Buenos Aires, is it really so difficult to produce a white or pink ball that will stay intact for 80 overs under lights? Is keeping the ball red more important than keeping Test cricket in good health?

The question is not whether he can play well enough as an international batsman to retain a place in the team. He certainly can, if only because this is a cycle in the game where the cream of English batting out there in the shires is really only semi-skimmed. The question is whether Pietersen can regain the powers that made him such a glorious spectacle and formidable opponent.

The young Dunedin boys would play the game religiously with their mates in their backyard or on their St Kilda street - often until after dark. But in trying to emulate their heroes, who included their dad, himself a former Otago opening batsman, the pair would sometimes incur the wrath of their parents or those next door.

How India’s system handles Ishant will be watched closely. Bowlers that can defeat great batsmen don’t come around too often. Neither Ishant nor leg-spinner Amit Mishra can be allowed to slip away. A long-term bowling coach will help immeasurably, for at the highest level, skills need constant development and refinement. Consistency augments an attack’s menace, and consistency cannot be had if mind and bowling action aren’t sound. Ishant needs nurturing, but it’s just as important that he isn’t over-coached.

Regret stems from the overlooking of the admirable candidate put forward by New Zealand. Sir John Anderson's praises were widely sung and a more gracious neighbour might have acknowledged his obvious merits. Of the insiders he was clearly the best qualified.

The left-hander's innings reminded me of the very best of Graham Thorpe and Neil Fairbrother rolled into one. He is a very resourceful player who has the advantage of being stronger than either Thorpe or Fairbrother were; that power allows him to loft the ball for six and execute a punishing reverse sweep, a shot which remains a revelation.