Kevin Pietersen's England have been warned they will have to make the most of any chances that come their way if South Africa are not to make it a Test and one-day double this summer.

Rob Key and his England Lions were given a good mauling at Leicester yesterday, losing by four wickets to a touring team missing several first-choice players.

And the ominously good form of batsman Herschelle Gibbs (81) and bowler Dale Steyn (3-27) suggests Pietersen and Co could be up against it when the NatWest Series starts next week.

Key was captain of a strong looking England second team dismissed for 184 and then beaten with more than 11 overs to spare as the visitors eased to 185-6.

He said: "That was pretty much a drubbing. England will have to make sure when someone has their day during the one-day series they make it a big day because that's certainly what South Africa will do. They are a very good side."

International Cricket Council chief executive Haroon Lorgat, meanwhile, is due to meet the full England squad this weekend in an attempt to convince Pietersen and his colleagues they will be safe in Pakistan during next month's Champions Trophy, despite ongoing security fears.