Official Kevin Pietersen Thread

[strim]

Re: Freddie hails KP as special talent and the next Lara and Tendulkar

Kp Is A Legend And Will Become One Of The Best Players In The Game In Afew Year If He Isnt Already

 

[Romeo]

Re: Freddie hails KP as special talent and the next Lara and Tendulkar

Pietersen moves up Test batting table
[ May 29 2006 at 10:41AM
New Delhi - England batsman Kevin Pietersen entered the Top 10 of the International Cricket Council's Test batting rankings for the first time after notching consecutive hundreds in the home series against Sri Lanka.

The 25-year-old batsman hit a rapid 142 to spur the team to Sunday's six-wicket victory at Edgbaston after top-scoring with 158 in the drawn first Test at Lord's. England lead 1-0 in the three-test series.

The South African-born player gained seven places to be ranked 10th, the highest among England batsman and one spot ahead of opener Marcus Trescothick.

Among the most destructive batsmen in the game, Pietersen is also ranked seventh in the one-day table.



Sri Lanka off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan maintained his grip as the top-ranked Test bowler after capturing 10-115 at Edgbaston, his 15th 10-wicket Test haul.

He was well ahead of second-placed South African Makhaya Ntini.

Victorious England captain Andrew Flintoff slipped to second among Test allrounders behind South Africa's Jacques Kallis.

suffer Saffies. He leaves any of your batters for dead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Romeo]

Re: Freddie hails KP as special talent and the next Lara and Tendulkar

Pietersen proves a cut above the rest as England eye quick victory

By Christopher Martin-Jenkins, Chief Cricket Correspondent

EDGBASTON (second day of five): Sri Lanka, with six secondinnings wickets in hand, are 68 runs behind England

NI_MPU('middle');http://ad.uk.doubleclick.net/click;...ww.timesonline.co.uk/section/0,,28029,00.htmlONCE more the Edgbaston Test looks like being over in three days. Once more it has provided rich, quick-fire entertainment. A magnificent exhibition of inventive strokeplay by Kevin Pietersen, the most intimidating batsman in world cricket since Viv Richards, roused the always jovial Birmingham crowd to near ecstasy yesterday afternoon and rightly so. Most of them had come to cheer England first and Andrew Flintoff second but they were truly privileged to see Pietersen bat and Muttiah Muralitharan bowl; two towering individual performances amid some prosaic cricket by the remainder.
Despite having their first innings docked by Muralitharan and Lasith Malinga quicker than a vet reducing a boxer’s wagging tail to a quivering stump, England still managed a lead of 154 and should wrap up the game some time today on a pitch now beginning to look brittle. Their attack has been expertly used by Flintoff, who has rapidly learnt from his one-tracked policy at Lord’s. He recognised Matthew Hoggard as his main weapon through the air and Monty Panesar, whom he introduced for only the fifteenth over with immediate effect, as the chief danger off the pitch.
Sri Lanka have wilted in the cool, windy weather of the first two days. The conditions are as alien to them as Colombo’s stifling heat is to Englishmen. They did not bowl badly, but they were up against something quite exceptional yesterday from the moment that Pietersen, after a couple of early misjudgments outside his off stump against Chaminda Vaas, took guard beyond his crease and hit the first of his straight-driven boundaries. From then it was run-a-ball domination by a man who makes the bowlers look accomplices in his act.
He scored in bursts, always dramatic, needing only one big piece of luck on 55 when Muralitharan passed a firm forward thrust on the outside, striking his bent back leg just high enough for Darrell Hair to rule that it would have spun over the bails. The medium pacers, Farveez Maharoof and Nuwan Kulasekera, tried to contain him by bowling wide of the off-stump to offside fields, but one flurry of strokes against Maharoof emphasised how almost impossible it was to keep him quiet.
A perfect drive through extra cover on the up was sandwiched between two hits clubbed to the mid-on boundary like a right back at hockey passing the ball to his distant left winger. He commanded Muralitharan, too, hitting him for three fours in succession to long-off, extra cover and backward point on the way to scoring one more run than Sri Lanka managed in the whole of their first innings.
Pietersen’s batting, still in development, has been the icing on England’s cake these past 12 months. Goodness knows what he might achieve in the next ten years if he retains his present hunger. He does not turn 26 until next month and such is his talent that already it seems that his main concern against most bowlers is having to decide between which of the many shots available to him against any given ball.
The impression that, against this modest Sri Lanka attack at least, he could do anything he wished reached its high point in the middle of the afternoon when he reverse swept his third six into the Eric Hollies Stand beside the River Rae. Moments later he missed a more conventional sweep and became the fifth of Muralitharan’s six wickets, whereupon England’s tail proved every bit as flimsy in fact as on paper. The last five wickets were lost in 29 balls for the addition of only five runs.
Muralitharan’s subtle changes of pace and trajectory and perfect control of off-break and doosra earned him five wickets in a Test innings for the 52nd time in his 105 Tests. The collapse kept Sri Lanka in the match if only they could find a significant partnership or two despite swing with the new ball for Hoggard and Plunkett and turn for Panesar.
Upal Tharanga went again in the first over to a thin edge, Kumar Sangakkara clipped to mid-wicket, Mahela Jayawardena went back to a ball that kept low in Hoggard’s second spell and Thilan Samaraweera was stranded way out of his crease. Geraint Jones, however, took the ball in front of the stumps in his eagerness and should not therefore have been given the stumping.
Pietersen’s batting will be the memory of a remarkable day that started and finished late after morning rain. He came to England from Natal like Whittington seeking his fortune in London. He seeks and adores the limelight. But if Panesar keeps taking wickets more often than he fumbles in the field, the naturally retiring Sikh may be destined to become the greater folk hero.
SWITCH CRAFT
OTHER than baseball fans, few people have seen a switch-hit six to compare with Kevin Pietersen’s extraordinary reverse swipe off Muttiah Muralitharan into the Eric Hollies Stand. And Pietersen says that it may be a while before such a shot is seen again, from his bat at least.
“The reverse-sweep was my only boundary option, so I thought, when you’ve got 136, you may as well have a go at it,” Pietersen said. “I didn’t think I was going to hit it for six, I didn’t even think I was going to hit it. It’s not a controlled shot. It’s a naughty shot that you probably won’t see again for a while.” Most batsmen, when reverse-sweeping, merely turn the face of the bat the other way round from that used for a conventional sweep. But Pietersen does not conform to the methods of most batsmen. He effectively turned his stance round to become a left-hander, so that his right leg was leading down the pitch, took the ball on the full and swiped it over the boundary. It was a prime example of Pietersen’s remarkable hand-eye co-ordination.

 

[The_Reaper]

Re: Freddie hails KP as special talent and the next Lara and Tendulkar

Tabloid journilism used to hype up a player. Hayden at his best was a lot better and more intimidating.

 

[Mr P@H]

Re: Freddie hails KP as special talent and the next Lara and Tendulkar

Tabloid journilism used to hype up a player. Hayden at his best was a lot better and more intimidating.

Our press have doing that for years, it's simply Bandwagonjumping

 

[linda]

Re: Freddie hails KP as special talent and the next Lara and Tendulkar

I have probably said this before hes a complete knob enough said

 

[Mr P@H]

Re: Freddie hails KP as special talent and the next Lara and Tendulkar

But's he's OUR 'complete knob' so there

 

[just maybe]

Re: Freddie hails KP as special talent and the next Lara and Tendulkar

England's star-seeking syndome, take any emerging player and crush him under the weight of expectation.

Next time he has a bad series the hounds will be on him - they were in Pakistan.

 

[davey_magik]

Re: Freddie hails KP as special talent and the next Lara and Tendulkar

England's star-seeking syndome, take any emerging player and crush him under the weight of expectation.

Next time he has a bad series the hounds will be on him - they were in Pakistan.

Good post.
Lets see him against a good attack please. I know he was great in the Ashes but lets see him get some longevity with this form.

And I'd rather Afridi if I wanted a destructive bastman. Though the upcoming England vs Pakistan series could have some serious hitting in it.

 

[Romeo]

Re: Freddie hails KP as special talent and the next Lara and Tendulkar

NO, Afridi doesn't stay in as long as KP.

More joy for Kp fans.

Kevin Pietersen’s autobiography - Crossing the Boundary



Crossing the Boundary: The Early Years in My Cricketing Life

Described by the media as ‘the David Beckham of cricket’ and regularly gracing the tabloids and broadsheets alike with his trademark hairstyle and vibrant personality, Kevin is fast becoming the poster boy for English cricket. But he is also in possession of a prodigious talent - fearless, bold and with unflappable nerves. His unique batting style has produced hundreds of runs and many outstanding innings for his county and country this summer, culminating in his extraordinary triumph at The Ashes. “Crossing the Boundary” will recount Kevin’s remarkable journey so far - from growing up in his native South Africa to the opposition he faced from his national cricket board, from his move to England and his career at Hampshire to winning a place on the England team. It will provide a rare insight into the mind of an international cricketer, on and off the pitch. Reflecting his youthful charisma and his bullish confidence, this will be a sporting memoir like no other. Told with wit, intelligence and attitude, “Crossing the Boundary” will reveal the riveting story of a young, hugely talented star who has helped England to win their 1st Ashes in 18 years.
​

 

[Browney]

Re: Freddie hails KP as special talent and the next Lara and Tendulkar

Good post.
Lets see him against a good attack please. I know he was great in the Ashes but lets see him get some longevity with this form.

And I'd rather Afridi if I wanted a destructive bastman. Though the upcoming England vs Pakistan series could have some serious hitting in it.

I wouldnt think twice about picking Pieterson over Afridi

 

[Dipper]

Re: Freddie hails KP as special talent and the next Lara and Tendulkar

I have probably said this before hes a complete knob enough said

ahh but you're biased due to the acrimonious way that he left Notts.

To me he's less of a knob than Vaughan, Hoggard or Geraint Jones, at least he has a bit of character & presence.

He scores pretty high on the self regard scale & people in England especially don't tend to like that.

 

[Romeo]

Re: Freddie hails KP as special talent and the next Lara and Tendulkar

ahh but you're biased due to the acrimonious way that he left Notts.

To me he's less of a knob than Vaughan, Hoggard or Geraint Jones, at least he has a bit of character & presence.

He scores pretty high on the self regard scale & people in England especially don't tend to like that.

Yes KP gets unfairly slated. He has personality,presence as you say, individuality and arguably the most talent in the game. The biggest knob of course is the fat prick, who is universally hated. And KP is high in self-regard because he's an erstwhile South African. Most Saffie men are arrogant above their station.

 

[Philhawk]

Re: Freddie hails KP as special talent and the next Lara and Tendulkar

Yes KP gets unfairly slated. He has personality,presence as you say, individuality and arguably the most talent in the game. The biggest knob of course is the fat prick, who is universally hated. And KP is high in self-regard because he's an erstwhile South African. Most Saffie men are arrogant above their station.

Arguably the most talent in the game? FFS, praise him all you want but don't make stupid comments.

 

[Romeo]

Re: Freddie hails KP as special talent and the next Lara and Tendulkar

Arguably the most talent in the game? FFS, praise him all you want but don't make stupid comments.

Who has more?

“Who needs James Bond when you can watch Kevin Pietersen” – The Times.......“Extraordinary…..Exceptional” – The Daily Mail.......“Fantastic to watch” – The Sun

Remember talent is not an exact science. It is intangible. It can be immeasurable. But KP can do things no one else can. He is brilliant and exciting. Most batsmen are stodgy and are forced to be circumspect compared with him. Talent can't be measured by statistics alone. Yet his are going to look great once he's finished plying his trade in any case.

 

[Cooldude]

Re: Freddie hails KP as special talent and the next Lara and Tendulkar

Autobio after less than one year at Test cricket? Sad thing is there would be morons buying books like that, wonder how many times he tells the readers how good he is in the book.

 

[Philhawk]

Re: Freddie hails KP as special talent and the next Lara and Tendulkar

Who has more?

Let me think.

Tendulkar
Pointing
Dravid
Gilchrist
Lara
Hussey
Dhoni+
Hayden

Just to name a few.

 

[Mr P@H]

Re: Freddie hails KP as special talent and the next Lara and Tendulkar

I wouldn't say he is arrogant, he is VERY high in confidence and this is a reason for his success, he doesn't let people bowl to him and he shows no respect, a quality which is very useful when you are up against Murali and Warnie.

 

[Romeo]

Re: Freddie hails KP as special talent and the next Lara and Tendulkar

Let me think.

Tendulkar
Pointing
Dravid
Gilchrist
Lara
Hussey
Dhoni+
Hayden

Just to name a few.

Remember arguably is the operative word. Hussey, very debatable. What has Dhoni done that KP hasn't? Especially outside of India??? Lara certainly and Ponting have convincing cases to mount. Gilly arguable. Dravid much more clinical. Tendulkar has the score on the board and has him done for longevity but on current form KP es on him. And Sachin is more orthodox. Could he play some of the shots KP does?? Hayden is just a bit of a slogger or a flat track bully who had a purple patch but perished against quality attacks early in his career and again in the Ashes last year.

 

[efcskip47]

Re: Kevin Pietersen hailed as world's best by Murali

imagine if this guy had a half decent technique! he would be the worlds best. lets see how he goes after 100 tests.

 

[Philhawk]

Re: Freddie hails KP as special talent and the next Lara and Tendulkar

Remember arguably is the operative word. Hussey, very debatable. What has Dhoni done that KP hasn't? Especially outside of India??? Lara certainly and Ponting have convincing cases to mount. Gilly arguable. Dravid much more clinical. Tendulkar has the score on the board and has him done for longevity but on current form KP s***es on him. And Sachin is more orthodox. Could he play some of the shots KP does?? Hayden is just a bit of a slogger or a flat track bully who had a purple patch but perished against quality attacks early in his career and again in the Ashes last year.

Hussey - debatable? Keep dreaming

Dhoni - fair enough, then again - what has KP done outside of England to date?

Lara and Ponting - no debate

Dravid - no excuses, better in all facets of the game than KP

Tendulkar - Don't make pathetic excuses about longevity. Has been around longer and sure, he might not be in form, but even when Tendulkar/Ponting/Lara/Dravid are in mediocre form, they on KP.

Shot selection? Who gives a f**k? Shahid Afridi plays some outstanding shots but is only developing still as a batsman. KP could do an inside out, reverse sweep, backwards against Warne and I wouldn't care less. One shot/type of shots don't determine the quality of a batsman.

Hayden - Silly comment. Flat-track bully? Yeh, keep dreaming. Think you're in for a suprise come the Ashes.

Notable other players who are better batsmen in my opinion than KP include Freddie, Sehwag, Sarwan and Gayle.

 

[efcskip47]

Re: Freddie hails KP as special talent and the next Lara and Tendulkar

hey romeo why did KP go to england in the first place. couldnt get a game for the Saffa's??

 

[Romeo]

Re: Freddie hails KP as special talent and the next Lara and Tendulkar

Hussey - debatable? Keep dreaming

Dhoni - fair enough, then again - what has KP done outside of England to date?

Lara and Ponting - no debate

Dravid - no excuses, better in all facets of the game than KP

Tendulkar - Don't make pathetic excuses about longevity. Has been around longer and sure, he might not be in form, but even when Tendulkar/Ponting/Lara/Dravid are in mediocre form, they on KP.

Shot selection? Who gives a f**k? Shahid Afridi plays some outstanding shots but is only developing still as a batsman. KP could do an inside out, reverse sweep, backwards against Warne and I wouldn't care less. One shot/type of shots don't determine the quality of a batsman.

Hayden - Silly comment. Flat-track bully? Yeh, keep dreaming. Think you're in for a suprise come the Ashes.



Notable other players who are better batsmen in my opinion than KP include Freddie, Sehwag, Sarwan and Gayle.

Gayle is all duck or no dinner.

Hussey has not done anything more than KP to date and is 5 years older. He should have been competent at this level after so many years stewing in the first class system. He has made a few tons, all of them laced with fair doses of luck. He can score quickly. He is a gun in ODI's but no more so than KP.

Sehwag is also a bit of hit and miss. Freddie is developing but at early in the Ashes series was a glorified slogger who matured into an all-round batsmen. But KP showed at least as much talent and maturity at the crease.

As for Hayden a flat-track bully, no such a silly remark, just check his record both for where he's scored his runs, how and against who.

Kp scored a ton in Pakistan btw.

At least one thing we agree on, he's the most talented batsmen SA has produced by a large stretch for decades. Suffer Saffies!!!

 

[Philhawk]

Re: Freddie hails KP as special talent and the next Lara and Tendulkar

G
Kp scored a ton in Pakistan btw.

At least one thing we agree on, he's the most talented batsmen SA has produced by a large stretch for decades. Suffer Saffies!!!

I'll give you that!

Just glad to see you didn't persist with the Sachin idea. KP has a fair bit to go, but who knows. He might soar to the heights Tendulkar has in his career.

 

[Cooldude]

Re: Freddie hails KP as special talent and the next Lara and Tendulkar

Heard ridiculous things said about Michael Clarke when he made that one ton, too

People love getting carried away, the sheer fact is this bloke hasn't even done anywhere near as much as Sachin and Lara has when they were his age.