Fifth ODI against Aussies will be perfect for Pietersen to fire: Flower
July 2nd, 2010 - 1:45 pm ICT by ANISydney, Jul 2 (ANI): The fifth ODI against Australia will be a perfect setting for Kevin Pietersen to come out of his form slump in one-dayers, according to England coach Andy Flower.
Pietersen has not scored a half-century in his past 15 one-day international innings, and his last big score was an unbeaten 111 against India in Cuttack in 2008.
The England batsman has failed to impose himself on the current one-day series against Australia and has scored 29, 33, 25 and eight.
Pietersen was one of England’s leading players in their World Twenty20 triumph in the Caribbean in May and Flower thought it was only a matter of time before he fired.
“I think he actually looks in superb form. His balance is excellent. He is hitting balls through the off side as well as I have ever seen him. He has another chance to find the balance in decision-making which allows him to stay at the crease long enough for a big score,” The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Flower, as saying.
“He is very hungry to do that for England. He wants to be a game-changer and a match-winner. Saturday will be a lovely stage for him at Lord’s on a sunny day. It would be great for him to score runs. But I don’t think it is a matter of him coming back into form - it is just a matter of him being able to stay long enough at the crease,” he said.
England lead the series 3-1 and Australia have the chance to finish off the series with consecutive wins and take a bit of the wind out of England’s sails at the home of cricket. (ANI)
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Tags: andy flower, aussies, balls, coach andy, crease, cricket, cuttack, decision making, england batsman, england coach, fifth odi, kevin pietersen, match, matter of time, morning herald, sails, series 3, slump, sunny day, sydney morning herald