Former England player Kevin Pietersen has backed England captain Ben Stokes to lead from the front and turn the table in the ongoing Ashes 2023. The hosts are 0-2 down after the first two Tests, but Stokes is hopeful of their win in the 3rd Test as well. However, the veteran also feels the same.
In his article for Betway Insider, Kevin Pietersen wrote: “Stokes has said, ‘We’ve beaten teams 3-0 before and we want to do that again,’ and I believe him. He’s that kind of person. I absolutely believe every single word that he says. But they need to win the next three Test matches on the cricket field and not in the media. I’d be very happy if none of them do a press conference before they turn up on Thursday, and they just go out and play cricket.”
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He continued: “I can see England winning this Test and getting back into the series, but they have to stop making crazy decisions, and they have to follow their leader. Ben Stokes was brilliant at Lord’s. If it wasn’t for that 150, they could have been 100 all out. His innings papered over a lot of the cracks.”
Kevin Pietersen also feels England have to rest veteran speedster James Anderson for the Headingley Test as he failed to leave a mark so far in the series and Pietersen said Mark Wood would do a great job as well.
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Pietersen shared: “I’d rest Anderson for this Test match seeing as these first two matches haven’t gone well, and I’d bring him back for Old Trafford, his home ground. They’ve got to get Mark Wood into this team. They need some pace. And hopefully Moeen Ali’s finger is okay, so he will come in.”
