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Kevin Pietersen
Warning shot: Kevin Pietersen

KP urges England to learn fast

David Lloyd, Cricket Correspondent
21 Nov 2008


Kevin Pietersen has told England's batsmen to learn from their Indian counterparts if they are to be competitive for the remainder of their one-day series.

India lead 3-0 with four games to go, the next of which is in Bangalore on Sunday.

Despite a more encouraging performance in Kanpur yesterday, Pietersen said: "Playing against spin is something we need to work on. We've played in India for years now and there's only been a few centuries by England batsmen out here.

"We need to score hundreds to stay competitive and we haven't got a hundred yet."

The highest score by an England player so far is Pietersen's 63 in Rajkot. Only two others, Ravi Bopara and Owais Shah, have passed 50. By contrast, Yuvraj Singh has scored two centuries for India and there have been five other half-centuries.

And if that was not enough, Sachin Tendulkar, the world's best batsman, is back in the India squad for Sunday after being given time to rest following India's 2-0 Test series win over Australia.

The Aussies, meanwhile, looked to have a slight advantage in the low-scoring First Test against New Zealand in Brisbane. Bowled out for 214 in their first innings, they dismissed the Kiwis for 156 and stretched their lead to 189 by reaching 131 for six by the close of the second day.

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Kevin is right - I think the last time an Englishman scored a ODI century in India was 2002! Yet, I am afraid, Kevin is understating the problem. Our bowling is not as good as India's - just compare figures. We have a poor captain: despite winning the toss, he chose to do exactly what Dhoni would have wanted if he had won the toss. And, sadly and surprisingly, our fielding is inferior. So Pieterson can choose to start wherever he wants: there is a lot to improve.

- Nat, New Malden, UK, 21/11/2008 11:10
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