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| July 14, 2005 | Thursday | Jumadi-us-Sani 6, 1426 |
‘England should pick Pietersen for Tests’
LONDON, July 13: Shane Warne says England pose a threat in the Ashes for the first time since 1989 but should make room for Kevin Pietersen in their top order if they want to challenge Australia’s dominance.
The leg-spinner told a news conference in London: “This time, England have got a chance because they have some match-winners, which I don’t think they have had over the years.
“If Kevin Pietersen plays, you probably have three or four match-winners in their side. I expect him to play in the Test series. I think Kevin Pietersen should play. They should make room for him.
“He is the most destructive player in England, him and (all-rounder) Andrew Flintoff.
“England were unbeaten last year, you have a side that can compete for the Ashes for the first time since 1989.”
Pietersen is a fixture in England’s one-day side, with an average of 87 scored at almost a run a ball, but has yet to win a Test cap. He and Warne are team mates at English county side Hampshire.
South Africa-born Pietersen, 25, is vying with Graham Thorpe for England’s number five spot in the Ashes team. Pietersen is seen as a much more attacking player while Thorpe, 10 years his senior, tends to anchor the middle order.
Warne said the Thorpe was a wonderful player with a good record against Australia — he averages 45.74 against them, compared to his overall Test average of 44.66 — but added: “I would rather Thorpe plays because I have got him out more times than anyone in England teams.
“Thorpe gives them some variety, a left-hander in the middle order. He has played 100 Tests, sometimes you need experience in these sort of games.”
Warne suggested England might drop a fast bowler to fit the two players in. “Why can’t they play Thorpe at five, Pietersen at six, Flintoff at seven ... who says you can’t fit them all in?”
Australia have won the last eight Ashes series, with England’s last victory in 1986-87. The first of the five Tests starts at Lord’s on July 21.
“I’ve never played in a losing Ashes series,” Warne said. “This is probably my last tour in England, I’m not going to be here in four years time, I’ll be 40.
“I’d like to go out on a high and there are three, four, five other guys also on their last (Ashes) tour.
“Australia against England is what it’s all about ... it always brings out the best in every Australia side I’ve played in.”
Warne said Australia’s come-from-behind victory in the one-day series against England meant the side were coming into form at just the right time.—Reuters
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