Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen didn’t hold back in criticizing the English team after their lackluster display on the opening day of the Lord’s Test against Australia. Pietersen expressed his disappointment with the home side’s body language and the inability of their pacers to make an impact in favorable bowling conditions.
The atmosphere at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground was filled with anticipation as fans hoped for a strong performance from the English pacers on a greenish pitch, aided by overcast conditions. However, the first session saw Australia effectively neutralize the threat posed by the new ball.
With the exception of an energetic Josh Tongue, the English pacers struggled to trouble the Australian batsmen, particularly Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne in the second session. Pietersen voiced his discontent, highlighting the lack of effort from the English bowlers and referencing England’s premature declaration in the Ashes opener.
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“Not a lot has caught my eye from an English perspective. It’s been shambolic. Absolutely shambolic,” Kevin Pietersen criticized during the Tea break on Sky Sports. “You have overhead conditions, you have a wicket that suits your bowlers, you have bowlers running in at 78, 79 miles an hour. I hope they’re in that dressing room now, and the England coaches are giving them the biggest hammering, saying it’s not good enough.”
“Are you joking? Are you absolutely JOKING?” 😤
Kevin Pietersen is NOT happy with England today and says it has been ‘shambolic’ 😳 pic.twitter.com/eTJ50UBTnm
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 28, 2023
Pietersen emphasized that the English team should have shown more determination and aggression, pointing out that the Australian batsmen were on the field before the English bowlers—a scenario that should have been the other way around. He believed that England’s passive approach made it easy for the visiting team, led by Pat Cummins.
“I’ve played Ashes cricket, I’ve played nearly 30 Test matches against Australia. The Australians were outside to bat before the English bowlers. The English bowlers this morning should have been on those stairs saying we want to bowl at Australia. We’re desperate to bowl at Australia,” Kevin Pietersen added.
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The video clip shared by Sky Sports Cricket showed Pietersen’s frustration and disbelief at England’s performance, highlighting the urgency for the team to step up their game. As the series unfolds, it remains to be seen how the English team responds to this scathing critique and whether they can regain their composure and competitiveness in the remaining matches.
