Mike Gatting backs Kevin Pietersen’s role as opener
Former England skipper Mike Gatting has backed middle-order batsman Kevin Pietersen to open for England during the ICC World Cup 2011.
“It's interesting to see KP opening because we weren't quite sure what the coach was going to do with that position," said Gatting on Friday after the 30-year-old struck a half-century at the top of the order against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 in a warm-up
game. "It's a very interesting step to take and it will be a talking point…the fact is he (Kevin Pietersen) is talented, can hit the ball through the field and over the top,” Gatting said.
The former England batsman was confident that the South Africa-born prolific batsman can give the side momentum in the high-profile tournament.
Since England’s 1-6 drubbing in the recently concluded seven-match One Day International series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746, there were calls from former cricketers to bring changes at the top of the batting order. It was being suggested that either
Jonathan Trott or Ian Bell should partner the English skipper Andrew Strauss in the opening stand.
The wicketkeeper batsman Matt Prior, who has won his place behind the stumps back from Steven Davies, had also been a contender to open the innings for England.
But England made a surprising change in their batting order by promoting the number four batsman Kevin Pietersen to the top of the order in the first World Cup warm-up game against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Canada-c748. The management also revealed that it would use Pietersen
as an opener for the entire World Cup.
Pietersen undoubtedly proved himself a right choice on Friday by playing a 66-run knock off just 73 deliveries in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747.
Gatting hoped Pietersen has enough arsenal to damage the opposition attack if he starts innings quite early in a match.
“If Kevin gets going early then he has 50 overs to bat and it will be damaging for the opposition if he stays in,” said the 53-year-old.
England, the three-time unlucky finalists, will kick off their World Cup 2011 campaign against the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Netherlands-c753 in Nagpur on 22 February.
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