Kevin Pietersen grateful for Surrey chance
Kevin Pietersen says he is grateful for the chance http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Surrey-c851 gave him to play first-class cricket in his absence from the England team.
The South African-born Englishman was dropped from England's one-day international squad to play http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755. The England and Wales cricket board told him to go to Surrey and find some form before the Ashes
series this winter.
Pietersen has said that playing for Surrey has put him in confident mood. He is now enjoying a little time off before flying to South Africa to play for Kwa-Zulu Natal.
"I feel great. It has given me that self belief which I know I can now take to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757. I needed to go and get a hundred under my belt and feel positive about the way I was playing again. I need to
go and prepare in October for what is going to be an incredible winter. I think the best preparation for that will be to play against the Kookaburra ball," he said.
Pietersen's Surrey stint has been very sensible for a number of reasons. There was never any question over his place in England's Ashes team and he should be one of the most productive players in Australia.
A sensible move
Pietersen has not been dominant in the England Test team for a long time. It's been no secret that he has found form difficult to come by with his only score of note this year being 99 against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747.
He has seen his Test match average drop from above 50 down to below 48. This must have had an impact on Pietersen's morale and Surrey provided a platform for him to show his class.
Playing for Surrey allowed Pietersen to relax and settle into a club environment. The pressures and demands of playing for England were taken out of the equation and he was allowed to go out and enjoy
his batting.
Huge role to play
Pietersen is one of England's big match players for the Ashes this winter. He is a big character and may well have to carry the team through one or two difficult spells. Therefore it's extremely important
that his spell in South Africa goes as successfully as his time with Surrey.
Pietersen will be a target for the Australian players, coaches, fans and media. This is because he carries such a big threat. If he can stay in a positive frame of mind then he has the ability to take
a Test match away from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 in very little time.
"I've just come away from the pressures of international cricket, spent a couple of weeks away from that and I've built myself back up again thanks to a lot of kind words from a lot of people. My family
have been exceptional as well, so it's all good now. I'm ready to go," he added.
Betting advice
Pietersen seems intent on making an impression when he next gets the chance to wear an England shirt. Have no fears at all about backing him to be England's top scoring player through the entire winter
series of Australia.
It is a matter of time before Pietersen gets a big hundred in the Test match arena. There is no reason why this cannot happen during the Ashes. The flat hard Australian pitches and the bouncing ball will
aid Pietersen's game.
Pietersen is a much better player when he looks relaxed and free from any worries. He's also spent more time with his family and this will have freshened up his mentality. It will be a big winter for him.
Tags: