Last Updated on 3 years by Charbel Coorey
Cricket News: England must start Ashes well – Kevin Pietersen | Kevin Pietersen says that England must start the Ashes 2021/22 series well
With Test cricket’s most anticipated series – the 2021/22 Ashes – about the begin, the buildups are at their best. Former players of international sides have started expressing their beliefs and hopes about this series.
The former England skipper Kevin Pietersen, who won the Ashes 2010/11 in Australia, always showed his unique perception of the game. In his Betway video, he spoke about his Ashes experiences and how important it is to start the series well.
KP believes that the Ashes is the most crucial part of any England player’s career. While speaking about their historic win against Australia in Australia in 2010/11, he quoted “It’s a great feather in the cap to say we beat Australia in Australia. These are historic moments.”
Not just the players, the fans, cricket folklore, and media always get something extraordinary out of this special tournament every time it’s played.
Most importantly, Kevin Pietersen believes that the first Ashes Test is vital for England to set up the tone for the series as he expects a win or draw would silence the Australian crowd.
“For us to get the draw in Brisbane, and to take them apart in Adelaide on that particular tour (Ashes 2010/11) was where we built up all our momentum. So, it’s vital to make sure that the first Test match goes pear- shaped.” said KP.
Furthermore, KP mentions that the “run scoring” will be the key factor to put the Aussie bowlers under pressure. In the 2010/11 Ashes series, the English batters produced nine centuries and 11 half-centuries. Alastair Cook had a magical series scoring 766 runs, while Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pieterson, and Ian Bell accumulated above 300 runs each as their contribution. Without a doubt, this has a lot to do with the historic win in Australia since 1987.
Speaking of bowlers, James Anderson had an excellent series then, well supported by his fellow teammates Graeme Swann, Tim Bresnan, and Steve Finn, who were scalping the key wickets hither and thither. And the Ashes winner recalls it to make sure that the strike bowler of the England team gets backed up.
“I remember in Adelaide in the 2006/07 series. Where we had scored 550 runs in that first innings and we lost that Test match. Making sure that you keep the momentum down. And you keep people focused for the entire time. That’s the key to winning in Australia, too.” KP stressed.
Finally, having played many games against the Australians, KP had a say about the Australian team: “The Australians have got that mongrel, that spirit, that fight, that determination, that grit. You give them a chance and they’ll get you.”
