Pietersen "no way near tests yet"....

[Zainub]

Originally Posted by Milo

Maybe he's just being coy. Of course the guy is ready for tests. He's probably trying to lessen the pressure that has clearly built up on him after his performance in South Africa. Does any actually believe him when he says this???? I don't.

It would only harm England I think if people don't believe him...why would he lie after all? It isn't that he doesn't want to play test cricket for England, I'm sure he does, but like any other wise man (can u believe I'm saying this?) he doesn't want to risk never ever playing for England after one bad Ashes series but he rather thinks waiting a little longer and then play test cricket when's he actually mentally as well as technically ready for it is the better option

[Seamer]

Originally Posted by Ernest

Maybe he was being coy, I don't know, but saying that will register with some selectors.
I would to think he is ready, I would not hesitate to put him in the team with any other side bar Australia.

I am not hard and fast on this, he could well come off, could even help win us the Ashes, if he failed big time though, it could set him back back years.

It is worth the risk i think and a gamble worth taking. To beat Australia, someone has to take the fight up to them. Just ask Lara, Dravid, Laxman, Vaughan, Butcher, Sehwag. All agressive stroke-makers. Key and Crawley will get absolutely slaughtered if the Eng selectors are foolish enough to pick them. But if KP says he is not ready at 25, that has to be a concern as well. How long does it take to be ready? 5000 first class runs at an average of over 50 is enough of a grounding surely?.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Seamer

But if KP says he is not ready at 25, that has to be a concern as well. How long does it take to be ready? 5000 first class runs at an average of over 50 is enough of a grounding surely?

I think he's just saying it to try and fit in abit more. He's got abit of a repuatation as an arrogant trouble maker, so I guess he thinks it's not a good idea to come out and say "I'm the man you need to take on the Aussies!"

[Ernest]

In your list you forgot Flintoff Seamer, better than Pietersen, until proven different, if he is fit, England don't need to take a chance with Pieterson, as we have a balanced team.

Pietersen maybe 25, when most players would be ready, but he has not been eligable to play for England all that long.

If Flintoff is not fit in time, then they could play Pietersen, but a strong challange is coming from Bell, who also in the wickets.

[Seamer]

Originally Posted by Pete

I think he's just saying it to try and fit in abit more. He's got abit of a repuatation as an arrogant trouble maker, so I guess he thinks it's not a good idea to come out and say "I'm the man you need to take on the Aussies!"

You may be right Pete, but at the end of the day you have to be hungry if you want to play tests. So what if he is arrogant?
Botham was arrogant and was a champion.

[Milo]

If you actually read the piece, the underlying tone of what Pietersen is saying is that he will be ready for test cricket in the summer. He merely states that a couple of month's playing with Warne at Hampshire will complete his cricekting education (and therefore he is talking about not playing the Bangladesh games).

It's all abour standards. Do you want to succeed at the top level or not? It would appear that Pietersen wants to be the finished article before he takes on test cricket. From what he says, he feels he is almost there. Expect him to feel pretty disappointed if he is not out there in the first test against McGrath and co.

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

Since then they get media training (by-product of this is series of terribly boring post match interviews) but he's making all the right noises IMO. Keeps his head down, doesnt dictate to the management that he should be picked for a very important ashes tour having never played a test before, despite the fact he was superb in SA. If selected, his arrogance will show through (good!) and show the aussies he's a right bastard. theres a time for that but it isnt when the ashes are over 4 months away and he hasnt played a tst match !

[Seamer]

Perhaps he may get more value playing county. But surely he will get more value by actually playing with the test team and gelling with those guys before the ashes. If Flintoff comes back or if they choose Bell, or if Key gets some runs, he may not get the oppurtunity when he is "ready" Grab your oppurtinity with both hands or risk it slipping away forever.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Milo

If you actually read the piece, the underlying tone of what Pietersen is saying is that he will be ready for test cricket in the summer. He merely states that a couple of month's playing with Warne at Hampshire will complete his cricekting education (and therefore he is talking about not playing the Bangladesh games).

Milo with respect the best place to learn Test cricket is out there in the middle, he has no Test experience, so if he has any aspirations of playing against Austraia, he has IMHO got to play in the Bangladesh series, the only chance to blood him.

[Milo]

Originally Posted by Ernest

Milo with respect the best place to learn Test cricket is out there in the middle, he has no Test experience, so if he has any aspirations of playing against Austraia, he has IMHO got to play in the Bangladesh series, the only chance to blood him.

I think you're probably right. I was merely paraphrasing what KP appeared to say, that which is the focus of this thread.