FANS reckon Kevin Pietersen has turned into the “Roy Keane of cricket commentary.”
That’s after he laid into England’s toothless bowlers on Day 1 of the second Ashes Test.
ReutersKevin Pietersen did not hold back in his assessment of England’s second Ashes Test[/caption]
Fans reckon Pietersen is becoming the ‘Roy Keane of cricket’Getty
Ben Stokes’ men suffered a heartbreaking loss in a thrilling first Test at Edgbaston.
And Wednesday saw England welcome their cousins from Down Under to Lord’s in London.
Supporters were eager to see the hosts make a quick start as Australia lined up to bat first.
But England were blunted by Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, who both survived DRS reviews to help the visitors reach 190-2 by 4pm tea.
Ollie Robinson did manage to take out Labuschagne 45 minutes later, with Australia 210-3 by 5pm.
But the dull bowling performance led to a sensational blast by ex-England star Pietersen.
He first said after lunch: “It’s just not good enough, it really isn’t. Expectation is one thing and these guys would have been expecting to bowl Australia out today, and it’s just getting sloppy.
“Not enough balls in the right area and the speeds haven’t been up.
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“Robinson, in his first couple of spells, he was bowling at 78mph. You had David Warner sweeping him.
“It all looks a little bit too easy here for Australia. There’s not a lot happening with the England bowlers. They might need to have a little regroup at tea.”
Pietersen later continued to criticise England during the tea break, saying: “Not a lot’s caught my eye from an English perspective. It’s been shambolic, absolutely shambolic.
“You have overhead conditions, a wicket that suits your bowlers running at 80 miles an hour.
“It’s one thing swanning round saying ‘this is a wonderful team to play’. But this is not Ashes cricket. I’ve played Ashes cricket.
“I’ve played 30 Tests against Australia. Their batters were outside to bat before the English bowlers. This morning they should have been there saying ‘we’re desperate to bowl at Australia’.
“These two Australian batters are out there waiting for England, they should have been in the room saying ‘no we don’t want to bat’. And it’s all too easy and it’s all too nice.
I just hope they’re in their dressing room now and the England coach is giving them the biggest hammering
Kevin Pietersen
“Are you telling me Ricky Ponting in 2005 is going to be talking to Geraint Jones, you think Michael Vaughan is going to be stood next to Justin Langer and saying ‘hey, what a cool day’?
“Are you joking? Are you absolutely joking? I just hope they’re in their dressing room now and the England coach is giving them the biggest hammering saying ‘it’s not good enough’.
“It’s absolutely not good enough, you cannot bowl here today, you can’t have these conditions and declare for 390. You think Australia are declaring today?
“You think Australia get 390 and say ‘England go the bat’? No chance.”
Pietersen’s comments certainly amused England fans looking for an escape from the performance.
And many believe the South African has been taking notes from Man United legend Keane, famous for his withering put-downs and angry rants while analysing football matches.
One fan said: “Enjoying Kevin Pietersen having a stab at becoming the Roy Keane of cricket commentary.”
Another declared: “Pietersen the only one dropping truth bombs. This is c**p, might as well call it what it is.”
One noted: “Pietersen is the kind of extreme pundit I rarely have time for but he’s right here, too sloppy and too passive from England.”
Another added: “Wonder if Pietersen will be invited back to commentate, far too critical of England which is not allowed…”