Pietersen relishing new role as opener in England’s World Cup crusade
February 17th, 2011 - 1:50 pm ICT by ANILondon, Feb 17 (ANI): Kevin Pietersen, who was promoted to the top of the order during the warm-up game against Canada, remains upbeat despite making a meager 24 run as an opener.
The majority of Pietersen’s 50-over appearances have come at No 3 (60 innings at an average of 39).
“It’s really exciting - a nice positive move going into the World Cup. We spoke about it going into the end of the Australia tour. I have a nice little feeling about it,” The Telegraph quoted Pietersen, as saying.
“I’ll look to play my normal game. It’s not a pinch-hitting role. The team is right behind the decision. I’m fine,” he said
“On the subcontinent we feel the top of the innings is a really nice time to bat,” Pietersen said
Batting first, England were grateful to Matt Prior for a quick 78 from 80 balls which helped them make 243 all out.
Broad’s, who returned from a two-month lay-off with a torn stomach muscle, helped in reducing Canada to 28-5 in reply.
But then Rizwan Cheema took them awfully close, scoring 93 from 71 balls, with five sixes. He smashed Broad for two of those sixes down the leg-side, before the paceman had him caught at long-off.
Pietersen said: “At the end of the day one bloke from Canada played beautifully, hit the ball out of the middle of the bat and played a wonderful innings - and that can happen on any particular day. So hats off to him - but we still won the game.” (ANI)
- Bagai, Hansra secure five-wicket win for Canada (Roundup) - Mar 08, 2011
- Mishra, Odoyo set up a fighting 198 for Kenya (Lead) - Mar 07, 2011
- Never had to work as hard in a Test match : Pietersen - Jul 23, 2011
- Tamim, Shakib star in Bangladesh win in warm-up match - Feb 12, 2011
- Pietersen's innings one of the best: Jayawardene - Apr 20, 2012
- North ready for Ashes with invaluable insight about England's bowling - Nov 10, 2010
- The wheel has turned in England's favour: Pietersen - Aug 20, 2011
- We are not surprising ourselves, asserts Pietersen (Lead) - Aug 20, 2011
- We will be better prepared against Johnson: Pietersen - Dec 22, 2010
- Black Caps set bench mark for batting powerplay - Mar 14, 2011
- Canada elect to bat against Australia - Mar 16, 2011
- Sri Lanka start World Cup campaign with a huge win (Second Lead) - Feb 20, 2011
- Jayawardene, Pietersen join Delhi Daredevils - Apr 08, 2012
- Jaded Windies lose opening T20 to Australia - Mar 28, 2012
- World Cup: Canada flatter to deceive, Pakistan win by 46 runs (Roundup) - Mar 04, 2011
Tags: australia tour, balls, bloke, canada, crusade, england, game, hats, kevin pietersen, leg side, london feb, nice time, paceman, reply, sixes, stomach, subcontinent, world cup