England cricket great Kevin Pietersen rips to shreds Australia's batting line-up
Kevin Pietersen has fired an early warning shot ahead of this summer's Ashes series in Australia.
After watching Australia's batters struggle in the recent World Test Championship final against South Africa, Pietersen believes England bowlers will have little to fear when the Ashes begins in WA in November.
Among other criticisms, Pietersen said the demise of 30-year-old Marnus Labuschagne was 'very strange' and he said allrounder Cameron Green should not be coming in at No.3
'The batting is not what the batting used to be. Apart from Steve Smith,' Pietersen said.
'I've not seen anything here that would worry me. Not seen it at all.
'I don't know what has happened to Marnus the last couple of years.
'He just won't hit the ball. It's very strange to see.'
Pietersen also put the spotlight on Green, who made 4 and a duck against South Africa.
'Cameron Green is not a No.3,' Pietersen said.
Not only are there form concerns, Australia's top line-up is ageing.
Usman Khawaja is 38 and will turn 39 this December, Steve Smith is 36, Mitchell Starc is 35, Nathan Lyon will be 38 in November and Pat Cummins is 32.
Even Beau Webster, who made his Test debut in January this year, will be 32 in December.
The team is starting to look like Dad's Army but Pietersen was prepared to cut the veteran stars some slack, and backed in the bowlers.
'Smith is a different level, a modern great,' he said.
He also thought Khawaja was certainly good for another Ashes campaign.
'Uzzie is what Uzzie is. He has a good record,' Pietersen said.
'Beau Webster, I've seen better batters than him from what I've seen here. And I've only seen him here and it would probably be hard for me to forge an opinion just on what I've seen here because the ball has actually done quite a bit.
'But just technique ... if I was an English bowler, I would fancy my chances against this batting line-up.
'Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood, Lyon, Scotty Boland, there's some proper bowling, but as an England bowler (I wouldn't be worried).
'I'd be saying I'd rather be a bowler this Ashes series.'
Labuschagne is expected to be dropped for the Test against the West Indies but he could return to the team for the Ashes.
Australian coach Andrew McDonald is certainly not ruling him out despite the fact he has a century drought that is almost 24 months long.
'He's a big part of the future of the team,' McDonald said.
'Anyone that averages (46.19) in Test cricket at that age (30) is important.
'We've got older players there that are closer to the end than the start.
'If he can get his game in good order for the next four or five years, he can underpin that batting order, but at the moment, he'd be disappointed with the returns.
'We're confident that he could return to his best, hence why we keep picking him, and it's at what point do we stop picking him?
'There's no harder worker than Marnus, and now it's really just about the returns.'
- With AAP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
West Coast ruckman Matt Flynn responds to being axed for match-up against Melbourne star Max Gawn
West Coast ruckman Matt Flynn conceded his emotions were 'running high' after finding out he was dropped as the Eagles prepared to tackle ruck great Max Gawn. Flynn found himself axed after the disappointing western derby loss late last month, leaving Bailey Williams and forward-ruck Archer Reid to try to curtail the influence of seven-time All-Australian Gawn at Marvel Stadium in an 83-point thumping. The 27-year-old Eagle instead found himself slugging it out in muddy conditions at Sullivan Logistics Stadium against ex-Docker and East Perth bigman Scott Jones as he pushes for an immediate recall. Flynn put his hand up to take on ladder-leaders Adelaide at Optus Stadium this Sunday with 24 disposals, 30 hit-outs and five clearances. 'It was obviously disappointing. Initially emotions run high in that situation, but I got some good feedback from the coaches and some clear instructions. I put that to use,' he told The West Australian. 'I know my role at the club in this group is to be a leader and I came back to that today in the WAFL against East Perth and tried to put that into practice. 'The coaching staff is positive and there's some work to my game. But as a whole, it is positive stuff to action. 'There wasn't too many negatives or work-ons to worry about in that sense. A little bit of match-up stuff and it was more that good team balance.' Flynn has played a career-high 15 games this season, but he isn't satisfied with just getting a regular game at the struggling Eagles. 'I wouldn't say I am happy with my season in that sense. I've got a lot of improvement to do but I am viewing it in a positive light that I've been able to play 15 games,' he said. 'To be able grow my game week-on-week is something I've been happy with. 'I'm trying to develop and be a bit of a leader and a voice for the playing group. I am happy to be making that my focus. 'I wouldn't say I am happy with my season but there's been some positive spins.' West Coast as a club are struggling on field. They lost by a combined 152 points on Saturday across the AFL and WAFL. They are likely to finish last in both leagues and they are on track for a club low one-win AFL season. Despite the dismal results, Flynn said they could turn things around quickly, pointing to his time at Greater Western Sydney as proof of how results can change. 'I was at the Giants, we were 15th on the ladder and (coach) Adam Kinglsey came in and everyone bought in, and it changed pretty quick,' he said. 'It's going to take a lot of effort and a lot of desire to get better which I am seeing from a lot of the young boys.'
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Popyrin pushed to limit to make Canada quarter-finals
Australia's Alexei Popyrin remains on track for back-to-back Canadian Open titles after fighting his way to a three-set win over fifth seed Holger Rune. For the second match in a row in Toronto, 18th-seeded Popyrin had to claw his way back after losing the first set, beating the talented Dane 4-6 6-2 6-3 on Saturday (local time). It was just the second career meeting between the pair and squared the ledger at one apiece, Rune having won their only previous encounter in a tough three-setter on clay at the 2023 Rome Masters. The Australian also recovered from the loss of the first set of his third-round match to score a 5-7 6-4 6-4 win over former world No.1 and 2021 US Open and Canadian Open champ Daniil Medvedev of Russia. Popyrin has his sights set on back-to-back Canadian Open titles after thrashing Russia's Andrey Rublev 6-2 6-4 in last year's final. On Saturday he took some time to immerse himself into the match against Rune. He was frustrated not to cash in on any of the 11 break points he had in the first set. However, he turned things around after that, converting both of his break points in the second set, then doing the same with his first opportunity in the final stanza. "I started this week not high on confidence, needing to get a grasp of the mental side,'' the Australian said. "After the first set I was pissed (about not breaking), but when I came back out to return again it felt like I was in control of the match. "I told myself to be aggressive with the next break point that I got, and from them on I felt quite comfortable.'' In the quarter-finals, Popyrin faces top-seeded Alexander Zverev, who advanced after the No.14 seed Francisco Cerundolo, of Argentina, was forced to retire with an abdominal injury with the German leading 6-4 1-0. Zverev, the 2017 Canadian Open champion who is ranked third in the world, ended up the top seed in Toronto after the world's two top-ranked players Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz skipped the event. Another Australian, ninth-seeded Alex de Minaur, plays his round-of-16 clash against American Frances Tiafoe on Sunday (Monday AEST). De Minaur came to Canada in impeccable form, having won last week's Washington Open, his 10th career title. De Minaur has twice reached the quarter-finals at the hard-court event at Flushing Meadows, firstly in 2021, then repeating that effort last year. In other results on Saturday, Alex Michelsen reached the quarter-finals after toppling fellow American Learner Tien 6-3 6-3. Michelsen next faces 11th-seeded Russian Karen Khachanov, a 6-4 7-5 winner over eighth-seeded Norwegian Casper Ruud. - with AP Australia's Alexei Popyrin remains on track for back-to-back Canadian Open titles after fighting his way to a three-set win over fifth seed Holger Rune. For the second match in a row in Toronto, 18th-seeded Popyrin had to claw his way back after losing the first set, beating the talented Dane 4-6 6-2 6-3 on Saturday (local time). It was just the second career meeting between the pair and squared the ledger at one apiece, Rune having won their only previous encounter in a tough three-setter on clay at the 2023 Rome Masters. The Australian also recovered from the loss of the first set of his third-round match to score a 5-7 6-4 6-4 win over former world No.1 and 2021 US Open and Canadian Open champ Daniil Medvedev of Russia. Popyrin has his sights set on back-to-back Canadian Open titles after thrashing Russia's Andrey Rublev 6-2 6-4 in last year's final. On Saturday he took some time to immerse himself into the match against Rune. He was frustrated not to cash in on any of the 11 break points he had in the first set. However, he turned things around after that, converting both of his break points in the second set, then doing the same with his first opportunity in the final stanza. "I started this week not high on confidence, needing to get a grasp of the mental side,'' the Australian said. "After the first set I was pissed (about not breaking), but when I came back out to return again it felt like I was in control of the match. "I told myself to be aggressive with the next break point that I got, and from them on I felt quite comfortable.'' In the quarter-finals, Popyrin faces top-seeded Alexander Zverev, who advanced after the No.14 seed Francisco Cerundolo, of Argentina, was forced to retire with an abdominal injury with the German leading 6-4 1-0. Zverev, the 2017 Canadian Open champion who is ranked third in the world, ended up the top seed in Toronto after the world's two top-ranked players Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz skipped the event. Another Australian, ninth-seeded Alex de Minaur, plays his round-of-16 clash against American Frances Tiafoe on Sunday (Monday AEST). De Minaur came to Canada in impeccable form, having won last week's Washington Open, his 10th career title. De Minaur has twice reached the quarter-finals at the hard-court event at Flushing Meadows, firstly in 2021, then repeating that effort last year. In other results on Saturday, Alex Michelsen reached the quarter-finals after toppling fellow American Learner Tien 6-3 6-3. Michelsen next faces 11th-seeded Russian Karen Khachanov, a 6-4 7-5 winner over eighth-seeded Norwegian Casper Ruud. - with AP Australia's Alexei Popyrin remains on track for back-to-back Canadian Open titles after fighting his way to a three-set win over fifth seed Holger Rune. For the second match in a row in Toronto, 18th-seeded Popyrin had to claw his way back after losing the first set, beating the talented Dane 4-6 6-2 6-3 on Saturday (local time). It was just the second career meeting between the pair and squared the ledger at one apiece, Rune having won their only previous encounter in a tough three-setter on clay at the 2023 Rome Masters. The Australian also recovered from the loss of the first set of his third-round match to score a 5-7 6-4 6-4 win over former world No.1 and 2021 US Open and Canadian Open champ Daniil Medvedev of Russia. Popyrin has his sights set on back-to-back Canadian Open titles after thrashing Russia's Andrey Rublev 6-2 6-4 in last year's final. On Saturday he took some time to immerse himself into the match against Rune. He was frustrated not to cash in on any of the 11 break points he had in the first set. However, he turned things around after that, converting both of his break points in the second set, then doing the same with his first opportunity in the final stanza. "I started this week not high on confidence, needing to get a grasp of the mental side,'' the Australian said. "After the first set I was pissed (about not breaking), but when I came back out to return again it felt like I was in control of the match. "I told myself to be aggressive with the next break point that I got, and from them on I felt quite comfortable.'' In the quarter-finals, Popyrin faces top-seeded Alexander Zverev, who advanced after the No.14 seed Francisco Cerundolo, of Argentina, was forced to retire with an abdominal injury with the German leading 6-4 1-0. Zverev, the 2017 Canadian Open champion who is ranked third in the world, ended up the top seed in Toronto after the world's two top-ranked players Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz skipped the event. Another Australian, ninth-seeded Alex de Minaur, plays his round-of-16 clash against American Frances Tiafoe on Sunday (Monday AEST). De Minaur came to Canada in impeccable form, having won last week's Washington Open, his 10th career title. De Minaur has twice reached the quarter-finals at the hard-court event at Flushing Meadows, firstly in 2021, then repeating that effort last year. In other results on Saturday, Alex Michelsen reached the quarter-finals after toppling fellow American Learner Tien 6-3 6-3. Michelsen next faces 11th-seeded Russian Karen Khachanov, a 6-4 7-5 winner over eighth-seeded Norwegian Casper Ruud. - with AP Australia's Alexei Popyrin remains on track for back-to-back Canadian Open titles after fighting his way to a three-set win over fifth seed Holger Rune. For the second match in a row in Toronto, 18th-seeded Popyrin had to claw his way back after losing the first set, beating the talented Dane 4-6 6-2 6-3 on Saturday (local time). It was just the second career meeting between the pair and squared the ledger at one apiece, Rune having won their only previous encounter in a tough three-setter on clay at the 2023 Rome Masters. The Australian also recovered from the loss of the first set of his third-round match to score a 5-7 6-4 6-4 win over former world No.1 and 2021 US Open and Canadian Open champ Daniil Medvedev of Russia. Popyrin has his sights set on back-to-back Canadian Open titles after thrashing Russia's Andrey Rublev 6-2 6-4 in last year's final. On Saturday he took some time to immerse himself into the match against Rune. He was frustrated not to cash in on any of the 11 break points he had in the first set. However, he turned things around after that, converting both of his break points in the second set, then doing the same with his first opportunity in the final stanza. "I started this week not high on confidence, needing to get a grasp of the mental side,'' the Australian said. "After the first set I was pissed (about not breaking), but when I came back out to return again it felt like I was in control of the match. "I told myself to be aggressive with the next break point that I got, and from them on I felt quite comfortable.'' In the quarter-finals, Popyrin faces top-seeded Alexander Zverev, who advanced after the No.14 seed Francisco Cerundolo, of Argentina, was forced to retire with an abdominal injury with the German leading 6-4 1-0. Zverev, the 2017 Canadian Open champion who is ranked third in the world, ended up the top seed in Toronto after the world's two top-ranked players Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz skipped the event. Another Australian, ninth-seeded Alex de Minaur, plays his round-of-16 clash against American Frances Tiafoe on Sunday (Monday AEST). De Minaur came to Canada in impeccable form, having won last week's Washington Open, his 10th career title. De Minaur has twice reached the quarter-finals at the hard-court event at Flushing Meadows, firstly in 2021, then repeating that effort last year. In other results on Saturday, Alex Michelsen reached the quarter-finals after toppling fellow American Learner Tien 6-3 6-3. Michelsen next faces 11th-seeded Russian Karen Khachanov, a 6-4 7-5 winner over eighth-seeded Norwegian Casper Ruud. - with AP
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
From mancave to masterpiece: writer honours cricket's golden age
Everyone remembers Bodyline. But fewer people remember the man who caught Harold Larwood's short-pitched delivery right in the skull: Bert Oldfield. But, a former journalist and police officer from Surf Beach on the NSW south coast, Gavin Gleeson, thinks his name should ring out. "A lot of lesser cricketers, with all respect to them, have books written about them, but I found that Oldfield's story was quite exceptional and it had never really been touched," he said. Taking up that challenge, Gavin wrote Bodyline Casualty, a new book from Ginninderra that uncovers the almost-forgotten history of an extraordinary wicket-keeper. Gavin's fascination with the Bodyline saga during Britain's 1932-33 Ashes tour of Australia was triggered by the ABC's series of the same name. "It really captured my imagination," he said. "It sparked an off-field conflict and even diplomatic issues between Australia and England, but what interested me was the dramatic flashpoint of what happened, and I just wanted to focus in on the individual." When the COVID pandemic hit in 2020, Gavin retreated to his man-cave, where, surrounded by stacks of cricket memorabilia, he began typing. "When you've got that Microsoft Word document open and there's nothing there, you can do anything from that point on," Gavin said. "I was writing a thousand words a day, for 12 hours a day, listening to Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli, and I was back in the 1930s." Besides his sterling cricket career (Oldfield still retains the record for most stumpings), Oldfield also served in both World Wars. "He only played two first-grade matches and then the First World War happened, so he, as soon as he was able to at the age of 21, enlisted and was deployed overseas," Gavin said. "After he retired from cricket, he re-enlisted for the Second World War and was in it for the entirety." Part of Gavin's appreciation of Oldfield comes down to his reverence for what he sees as the golden age of cricket. "If you love current cricket, the worst thing you can do is write a historical book on cricket," he said. "I still watch cricket, but my love for the modern game is not like it was because you can see how much we've lost." With Bodyline Casualty out now, Gavin's already thinking about his next project. "Jack Gregory retired to Narooma, and he was a very interesting guy. He didn't wear gloves, didn't wear a groin protector, and he was a modern-style all-rounder," he said. "I'm thinking because I'm down the South Coast and I love it, I might do that because, you know, I'm in the right spot." Everyone remembers Bodyline. But fewer people remember the man who caught Harold Larwood's short-pitched delivery right in the skull: Bert Oldfield. But, a former journalist and police officer from Surf Beach on the NSW south coast, Gavin Gleeson, thinks his name should ring out. "A lot of lesser cricketers, with all respect to them, have books written about them, but I found that Oldfield's story was quite exceptional and it had never really been touched," he said. Taking up that challenge, Gavin wrote Bodyline Casualty, a new book from Ginninderra that uncovers the almost-forgotten history of an extraordinary wicket-keeper. Gavin's fascination with the Bodyline saga during Britain's 1932-33 Ashes tour of Australia was triggered by the ABC's series of the same name. "It really captured my imagination," he said. "It sparked an off-field conflict and even diplomatic issues between Australia and England, but what interested me was the dramatic flashpoint of what happened, and I just wanted to focus in on the individual." When the COVID pandemic hit in 2020, Gavin retreated to his man-cave, where, surrounded by stacks of cricket memorabilia, he began typing. "When you've got that Microsoft Word document open and there's nothing there, you can do anything from that point on," Gavin said. "I was writing a thousand words a day, for 12 hours a day, listening to Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli, and I was back in the 1930s." Besides his sterling cricket career (Oldfield still retains the record for most stumpings), Oldfield also served in both World Wars. "He only played two first-grade matches and then the First World War happened, so he, as soon as he was able to at the age of 21, enlisted and was deployed overseas," Gavin said. "After he retired from cricket, he re-enlisted for the Second World War and was in it for the entirety." Part of Gavin's appreciation of Oldfield comes down to his reverence for what he sees as the golden age of cricket. "If you love current cricket, the worst thing you can do is write a historical book on cricket," he said. "I still watch cricket, but my love for the modern game is not like it was because you can see how much we've lost." With Bodyline Casualty out now, Gavin's already thinking about his next project. "Jack Gregory retired to Narooma, and he was a very interesting guy. He didn't wear gloves, didn't wear a groin protector, and he was a modern-style all-rounder," he said. "I'm thinking because I'm down the South Coast and I love it, I might do that because, you know, I'm in the right spot." Everyone remembers Bodyline. But fewer people remember the man who caught Harold Larwood's short-pitched delivery right in the skull: Bert Oldfield. But, a former journalist and police officer from Surf Beach on the NSW south coast, Gavin Gleeson, thinks his name should ring out. "A lot of lesser cricketers, with all respect to them, have books written about them, but I found that Oldfield's story was quite exceptional and it had never really been touched," he said. Taking up that challenge, Gavin wrote Bodyline Casualty, a new book from Ginninderra that uncovers the almost-forgotten history of an extraordinary wicket-keeper. Gavin's fascination with the Bodyline saga during Britain's 1932-33 Ashes tour of Australia was triggered by the ABC's series of the same name. "It really captured my imagination," he said. "It sparked an off-field conflict and even diplomatic issues between Australia and England, but what interested me was the dramatic flashpoint of what happened, and I just wanted to focus in on the individual." When the COVID pandemic hit in 2020, Gavin retreated to his man-cave, where, surrounded by stacks of cricket memorabilia, he began typing. "When you've got that Microsoft Word document open and there's nothing there, you can do anything from that point on," Gavin said. "I was writing a thousand words a day, for 12 hours a day, listening to Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli, and I was back in the 1930s." Besides his sterling cricket career (Oldfield still retains the record for most stumpings), Oldfield also served in both World Wars. "He only played two first-grade matches and then the First World War happened, so he, as soon as he was able to at the age of 21, enlisted and was deployed overseas," Gavin said. "After he retired from cricket, he re-enlisted for the Second World War and was in it for the entirety." Part of Gavin's appreciation of Oldfield comes down to his reverence for what he sees as the golden age of cricket. "If you love current cricket, the worst thing you can do is write a historical book on cricket," he said. "I still watch cricket, but my love for the modern game is not like it was because you can see how much we've lost." With Bodyline Casualty out now, Gavin's already thinking about his next project. "Jack Gregory retired to Narooma, and he was a very interesting guy. He didn't wear gloves, didn't wear a groin protector, and he was a modern-style all-rounder," he said. "I'm thinking because I'm down the South Coast and I love it, I might do that because, you know, I'm in the right spot." Everyone remembers Bodyline. But fewer people remember the man who caught Harold Larwood's short-pitched delivery right in the skull: Bert Oldfield. But, a former journalist and police officer from Surf Beach on the NSW south coast, Gavin Gleeson, thinks his name should ring out. "A lot of lesser cricketers, with all respect to them, have books written about them, but I found that Oldfield's story was quite exceptional and it had never really been touched," he said. Taking up that challenge, Gavin wrote Bodyline Casualty, a new book from Ginninderra that uncovers the almost-forgotten history of an extraordinary wicket-keeper. Gavin's fascination with the Bodyline saga during Britain's 1932-33 Ashes tour of Australia was triggered by the ABC's series of the same name. "It really captured my imagination," he said. "It sparked an off-field conflict and even diplomatic issues between Australia and England, but what interested me was the dramatic flashpoint of what happened, and I just wanted to focus in on the individual." When the COVID pandemic hit in 2020, Gavin retreated to his man-cave, where, surrounded by stacks of cricket memorabilia, he began typing. "When you've got that Microsoft Word document open and there's nothing there, you can do anything from that point on," Gavin said. "I was writing a thousand words a day, for 12 hours a day, listening to Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli, and I was back in the 1930s." Besides his sterling cricket career (Oldfield still retains the record for most stumpings), Oldfield also served in both World Wars. "He only played two first-grade matches and then the First World War happened, so he, as soon as he was able to at the age of 21, enlisted and was deployed overseas," Gavin said. "After he retired from cricket, he re-enlisted for the Second World War and was in it for the entirety." Part of Gavin's appreciation of Oldfield comes down to his reverence for what he sees as the golden age of cricket. "If you love current cricket, the worst thing you can do is write a historical book on cricket," he said. "I still watch cricket, but my love for the modern game is not like it was because you can see how much we've lost." With Bodyline Casualty out now, Gavin's already thinking about his next project. "Jack Gregory retired to Narooma, and he was a very interesting guy. He didn't wear gloves, didn't wear a groin protector, and he was a modern-style all-rounder," he said. "I'm thinking because I'm down the South Coast and I love it, I might do that because, you know, I'm in the right spot."
