Nelson's Column... Pietersen defends shot

Kevin Pietersen can never hope to be considered great if he plays daft shots like the one which ended his innings far too prematurely in the first Ashes Test.

"That's the way I play," Pietersen argued after top-edging a ridiculous sweep off Nathan Hauritz, a bowler so innocuous, KP could have played him with a thin and flimsy stick. If that is so, it is the wrong way - for him and for England.

Pietersen is a naturally attacking batsman, unorthodox and brutal. His very personal technique has made him the player he is today, far and away England's best and one of the finest in the world.

But 69s are no good to anyone. Compare him to the current greats in the world - Ricky Ponting, Sachin Tendulkar, Mohammad Yousuf, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Jacques Kallis to name but five - and one thing is certain; hundreds, big hundreds at that, define a great player.

Those batsmen named above (and others with less ability than Pietersen) would consider retirement if they got out top-edging a sweep from two yards outside their off-stump. That KP almost laughs it off shows he has neither the application, desire or responsibility to become a true modern great.

Comments

[Craigo]

Well what a shambles this has been. The reason why Pietersen's failings are highlighted more than any other player is because there's so much pressure on him to perform. He's his own worst enemy though, he'll never be a great player because he's far too selfish. Take a look at how Ponting bats Kamikaze Kev. Also, Cook, Broad, Swann and Panesar are not Ashes standard and shouldn't play again this summer.

[clare, tyneside]

ok he's not the only one to blame for an all round poor performance, but he is SUPPOSED to be the top batsman nad a score of 69 won't cut it against the aussies.

[Andrew, Dover]

Don't knock KP. If we lose this there will be many bigger culprits - he and Freddie are the two stars - we would be nothing without them.

[Samuel]

Yet again the Australians are showing us how i'ts done. When the Australian batsmen get a start, they don't get out to over ambitious shots.They stay patient and focused, and cash in on the big scores.

[Kevin Pietersen]

Well what would you prefer to see; KP smashing 4s and 6s and getting a quick 69 or Geoffery Boycott getting 20 off 3 days and playing for a draw? KP makes things much more exciting and was BY FAR our best batsman along with Swann

[adrian]

Sorry Ray, there are 11 men in a team so the score if each scored 69 would be 759. aren't I a pain in the a**e?

[dave]

how anyone can get excited about watching cricket i dont know, it's nearly as bad as golf both are like watching paint dry

[Ray]

It doesn't matter that KP got out to a bad shot. The only way to beat the Aussies is to attack at every opportunity. If all our players scored 69 then the total would be 690 all out. Quite respectable, no?

[Matt, Walsall]

We do love to build them up and knock them down, don't we? The reason Pietersen is already a legend is because of the way that he bats; he attacks and dominates bowlers and that's what we all love to see. Remember the reverse six off Murali? Only KP would attempt (and perfectly execute) such a shot.
Other countries celebrate their best players and tolerate the occasional wobble. Hardly a wobble, this one though, as it's actually increased his 50+ average against the Aussies. However, here in good old blighty, we demonise the innings' top scorer (and will most likely blame the loss of the first Test on him if the Aussies go on to win it). Doesn't it make you proud to be English!!??

[Dave, Leeds]

Pietersen still scored 69 and was the top batsman. Yes, it was a bad shot, but why don't we single out the likes of Cook, Bopara and Strauss who all got starts and didn't even make 50.