Pietersen to stay down the order

Kevin Pietersen will not bat at No.4 in the first Test despite the absence of Marcus Trescothick at the top of the order. Andrew Flintoff said Pietersen would fill the No.5 position even though he has a better record further up the batting list.

"Kevin has proven that he can bat at Test cricket," Flintoff told The Australian. "He's got a fantastic record. We think for the strength of this side we're better suited with Kevin batting at five. It's just the dynamics of the team. We're happy with Kevin at five."

Pietersen averages 46.85 from 15 innings batting at No.5 compared to 53.88 from 17 innings at No.4. Flintoff's words indicate Paul Collingwood could get the job at No.4, a move that would be a backward step for England, according to Darren Lehmann, who captained South Australia in a tour match against the visitors on the weekend.

"He's the key," Lehmann said. "He'll take Australia on. And he should bat at No.4 because of Trescothick going home. The big thing for him will be that the grounds are a lot bigger. In England the grounds are so small that Pietersen and some of the other batsmen hit Warne and Lee for a lot of sixes. The Australians will bounce him a lot."

The Australian reported Pietersen acknowledged he would be the target for short-pitched bowling. "There's been a lot made of it and it's going to happen whether you bat at one or 11," Pietersen said. "Nowadays it doesn't matter. You're going to get it." After his century in last week's tour match against New South Wales, Pietersen admitted a skied hook shot off Brett Lee early in his innings had almost brought him undone. "I know it was a bit of a naughty shot," he said. "It's the way I have been training, the way I have been playing."