Pietersen encourages pacers to perform

Kevin Pietersen urged his side's inexperienced pace attack to make a good impression against Pakistan in the first Test at Lord's starting Thursday.

With Andrew Flintoff pulling out, England have had another injury scare to their main strike bowler Matthew Hoggard, who is doubtful due to a hand injury. England's bowlers had a tough time against Sri Lanka in the ODIs, as Liam Plunkett and Sajid Mahmood struggled to contain the batsmen and get the breakthroughs. However, Pietersen observed that the bowlers are determined to stand up and be counted against a strong Pakistan batting lineup.

"They have the mental toughness to do it," Pietersen told BBC Sport. "I am looking forward to the time when a bloke comes up, takes his chance and grabs that magnum of champagne.

"It's time for the youngsters to put in match-winning performances. I know how desperately hard they practice and how desperately they want to do well. It's important we get back to winning regularly against Pakistan and take that into Australia."

Pietersen also confirmed his own fitness, after missing the last two ODIs against Sri Lanka due to a knee injury. "I am 120% fit," said. "I hated having to hobble around the field, having the ball go past me and not being able to do anything about it."

Ian Bell, who earned a recall to the Test side after an impressive ODI series, hoped to establish himself in the Test side. "I want to become one of England's top order and I would like to think I can cement an actual place," he said. "I still feel I am part of the squad and am good enough for Test cricket."