The other side of KP

It is reaching a stage now where Kevin Pietersen needs all his skills to remain a first choice for England for it has been well documented that K.P. has hit a lean spot in his test career, certainly by his own high standards, and his confidence cannot be as good as it was.

Technically Pietersen has a very good action to bowl off spinners and his six foot five inches height can be a major advantage. He can spin the ball and has a very repeatable action, not surprising when he initially played first class cricket in South Africa as a spin bowler. Unfortunately Kevin does not want to bowl. He is reluctant to even bowl in the nets if he does not have too. If he were to work hard at his bowling he would give Strauss an additional choice for the bowling department and add just a bit more variety. Apart from perhaps talking a wicket or two, if he were to get through a tidy ten or fifteen overs, and do a good job for the side, it would add to his confidence, and this may have a positive knock on effect for his batting.

You cannot MAKE somebody bowl who does not want to, but, it is something of a black mark against his character when the powers that be know he could be contributing more to the team’s performance than he is currently doing. Come on Kevin…..grip it and rip it, there is a long series ahead, you know you can bowl, or could if you worked at it!!!!!

If he were able to spread his game to become a more regular bowler it would certainly help as England are trying hard to only take four specialist bowlers into each game. Adelaide has the potential of being the flattest wicked in the series so it is likely that England are going to need full power in the bowling department.