June 30, 2008	Monday	Jamadi-us-Sani 25, 1429

LONDON, June 29: While insisting his debut as England’s captain has been “great fun”, Kevin Pietersen on Saturday blamed England’s batsmen for their 3-1 defeat to New Zealand in the one-day series, which ended with a meek 51-run loss in the fifth match at Lord’s on Saturday.

“It all started alright with the toss and then we did a great job with the ball,” Pietersen, skipper in place of the suspended Paul Collingwood, told reporters.

“We just didn’t bat well enough, not only today but throughout the series. Too many players have got in and not gone on and been the hero. The consistency in the batting has not been there and it’s an area where we need to have a look at.”

Although Pietersen has not yet been confirmed as England skipper for the next three matches of Collingwood’s ban, he is keen to take on the role again.

While insisting that captaincy hadn’t affected his form, the star batsman said he was still keen to lead the team against his native South Africa at the start of August’s one-day series, when Collingwood will still be banned.

“Today was great fun and if I get the opportunity [again] hopefully I will do a good enough job,” the England skipper said.—Agencies