Kevin Pietersen was highly critical of a number of England players after they suffered defeat in the first Ashes Test in Brisbane.
And the former England batsman believes seam bowler Jake Ball should be dropped for Mason Crane for the day-night match in Adelaide that starts next week.
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After Joe Root’s side were bowled out for 302 and 195, Australia openers David Warner and Cameron Bancroft chased the modest target of 170 to secure an emphatic ten-wicket victory.
Speaking to BT Sport, Pietersen said: ‘It’s a worry, a real, real concern. The concern is the tail of England, it didn’t wag.
‘The top order, nobody seemed to be able to play the short ball well, if you want to score runs in Australia you’ve got to play the short ball.
‘There’s concerns over [James] Anderson, did he produce in this Test match? No he didn’t. Is Jake Ball any good? I don’t think so. Not at this level, not in Australia.
‘The cut on Moeen Ali’s finger… there are concerns, there are issues. If they go down in Adelaide, this is going to be a long trip.
‘On day two they were competing and they’ve still be absolutely smashed.’
“I wouldn’t play Ball, no chance!” – @KP24
“Root was our best spinner in this match” – @Swannyg66
“I would keep the same four in a few days time…” – @MichaelVaughan
The bowling attack has got our panel talking.#ItsTheAshespic.twitter.com/1q3PAushmf
— The Ashes on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) November 27, 2017
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Asked whether he would stick with the same team for the second Test match, Pietersen added: ‘I wouldn’t, no. I’d make a change.
‘I wouldn’t play Ball, absolutely no chance. I’d play Mason Crane, who gives you that variation. Do you want Joe Root bowling all those overs?’
MORE: England player ratings: Alastair Cook, Chris Woakes and Jake Ball struggle in crushing Ashes defeat
Kevin Pietersen was highly critical of a number of England players after they suffered defeat in the first Ashes Test in Brisbane.
And the former England batsman believes seam bowler Jake Ball should be dropped for Mason Crane for the day-night match in Adelaide that starts next week.
More: Cricket
After Joe Root’s side were bowled out for 302 and 195, Australia openers David Warner and Cameron Bancroft chased the modest target of 170 to secure an emphatic ten-wicket victory.
Speaking to BT Sport, Pietersen said: ‘It’s a worry, a real, real concern. The concern is the tail of England, it didn’t wag.
‘The top order, nobody seemed to be able to play the short ball well, if you want to score runs in Australia you’ve got to play the short ball.
‘There’s concerns over [James] Anderson, did he produce in this Test match? No he didn’t. Is Jake Ball any good? I don’t think so. Not at this level, not in Australia.
‘The cut on Moeen Ali’s finger… there are concerns, there are issues. If they go down in Adelaide, this is going to be a long trip.
‘On day two they were competing and they’ve still be absolutely smashed.’
“I wouldn’t play Ball, no chance!” – @KP24
“Root was our best spinner in this match” – @Swannyg66
“I would keep the same four in a few days time…” – @MichaelVaughan
The bowling attack has got our panel talking.#ItsTheAshespic.twitter.com/1q3PAushmf
— The Ashes on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) November 27, 2017
More: Cricket
Asked whether he would stick with the same team for the second Test match, Pietersen added: ‘I wouldn’t, no. I’d make a change.
‘I wouldn’t play Ball, absolutely no chance. I’d play Mason Crane, who gives you that variation. Do you want Joe Root bowling all those overs?’
MORE: England player ratings: Alastair Cook, Chris Woakes and Jake Ball struggle in crushing Ashes defeat
