Kevin Pietersen lauds debutant Joe Root’s composure – Cricket News Update
Prolific England batsman Kevin Pietersen, on Thursday lavished rich praise on debutant http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 in Nagpur.
The 21-year-old right-handed batsman was not out on 31 at stumps on day one, having put on unbeaten 60 with wicketkeeper batsman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Prior-c1984 to rescue England from a precarious position.
After winning the toss and opting to bat first, the tourists slumped to 119 for 4 on a low and slow http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RA-Jadeja-c2238, to leave the side reeling at 139 for 5.
However, the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013, never looked flustered or awed by the tense situation as he saw out 110 deliveries in the evening on a low and slow Nagpur deck, sharing an unbeaten sixth-wicket stand of 60 runs, to help the tourists recover to 199 for 5 at the close.
Despite being hemmed in by two close fielders, Root did not appear ill at ease against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Piyush-c82317 Chawla’s leg-breaks and googlies, and Pietersen was impressed to see his composure from the other end.
"Joe was brilliant. He's his own man, he played some lovely cricket shots, he's got a good head on his shoulders," Pietersen said of the young Yorkshireman.
"You can never judge a batsman after just a couple of hours at the crease but he showed signs that he could have a good Test career. He is a good little player, a lovely man and a good human being," added KP, who is England’s highest scorer in the first innings so far.
Pietersen also expressed satisfaction over his side’s performance in the match so far, however he was not at all happy with the Nagpur wicket.
"We're in an okay position at 200 for five but my guess is as good as anybody's in this room as to what that wicket's going to do," said the Natal-born England batsman. "I don't know what the wicket's going to do but goodness it's slow," he concluded.
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