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Archives for August 2010

The continuing struggles of Pietersen

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Oliver Brett | 20:11 UK time, Friday, 27 August 2010

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The scenario is as follows: . His third ball of the morning has snaked viciously away from Alastair Cook's bat at the last minute to have the England opener caught behind, and Kevin Pietersen is fresh to the crease.

Pietersen watches Mohammad Asif send down a maiden to Jonathan Trott, before Amir begins his first full over of the morning. He takes guard and the typically hushed packed house at Lord's somehow goes even quieter for a second or two.

Amir plays a joker, sending down a delivery that is neither particularly straight, nor does a huge amount in the air or of the wicket.

It is out there - 18 inches outside off-stump, half-volley length - fairly glistening with temptation. But, with thick cloud cover, the ball still new and England 39-2, Pietersen must show the self-restraint of a monk, not the wilful abandon of Don Juan.

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Trott's dependability key for England

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Oliver Brett | 17:19 UK time, Monday, 16 August 2010

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England's Test side, to use an Australian phrase, is travelling pretty well at the moment; the bowling is in rude health and the fielding is as impressive as it's ever been.

But coach Andy Flower knows the batting is an area that could certainly be improved. It was very much the weak link during the before four consecutive matches against Bangladesh helped massage some individual averages a bit.

However, England's two most recent Tests - notwithstanding helpful conditions for a proficient Pakistan bowling unit - have produced fairly modest scores of 354, 262-9, 251 and 118-1.

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