England, July 09: Kevin Pietersen last night talked down concerns about his fitness and talked up England’s chances of being able to build a winning position in the summer’s first Ashes Test.
England ended a day of fluctuating fortunes on 336 for 7. Six of the home side’s top seven reached 30 but not one of them managed to threaten three figures with Pietersen’s 69 the top score. It all added up to fascinating six hours or so of cricket – and a terrific Test baptism for the Swalec Stadium.
Pietersen believes that if England go on to reach 400 they will give themselves real opportunity to take charge on a pitch expected to spin more and more. But probably the best news for Andrew Strauss and Co. yesterday evening was Pietersen’s matter of fact assessment of his fitness.
–Agencies