Pietersen, Swann hold the key - Warne
Shane Warne, England's tormentor in many an Ashes past, writes in the Telegraph that this year could be their best chance of lifting the urn in Australia, but only if Kevin Pietersen and Graeme Swann play to potential.
Nitin Sundar
25-Feb-2013
Shane Warne, England's tormentor in many an Ashes past, writes in the Telegraph that this year could be their best chance of lifting the urn in Australia, but only if Kevin Pietersen and Graeme Swann play to potential.
I do not agree with John Buchanan’s view that Pietersen is selfish. I have worked with KP and seen him operate. It is all about the leadership of the team making him feel important, that he is the main man. Everyone has to toe the line but there are some people who are free spirits and you have to let them go. KP is always one of the best prepared players in world cricket. He is forensic in the way he prepares both physically and mentally so just let him go. The more you cage him and encroach on his preparation time then the less he will perform for you.
Swann has an air of confidence about him that can worry the opposition. He is in form and has that knack of getting a wicket in the first over. Everything he is trying is working. He is spinning the ball profusely for an off-spinner and he will really enjoy using the Kookaburra ball too. The quicks will not like the Kookaburra, but the spinners will love it because it has a coarse seam to grip and on a hard, flat wicket in the hot sun Swann will have to do a lot of bowling. He will relish being that main man with the ball.
Nitin Sundar is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo