When will Kevin Pietersen learn? The answer is probably never and his advocates will insist that if he plays cavalier shots and dies by the sword then so be it. Pietersen himself justified the shot by saying he has been very successful with the sweep shot but that is poppycock. He will never become a truly classy test batsman if he continues to get out in the asinine way he did today.
In attempting to sweep the generally benign and toothless Hauritz from way outside the off stump he only succeeded in hitting the ball on to his helmet and deflecting a looping catch to Katich. He looked a fool and it is the fact that he is so talented yet so stubborn that makes him such an infuriating mixture.
It was an intriguing day’s cricket in Cardiff, which has happily confirmed that test cricket is still the only game in town. The subtle evolution of the first day’s affairs, where the game swung this way and that and then back again, was both entertaining and interesting.
The first session undoubtedly belonged to the Australians as the top three English batsmen got themselves out to injudicious shots. The pitch lacked any spite and the bowling was not exactly venomous, so England surrendered the advantage of batting first by some sloppy batting.
The flow then went England’s way in the middle session guided by the combination of Pietersen and Collingwood who provided grit and determination when it was most needed. Adding just over 100 and losing no wickets meant tea was taken with England in the ascendancy.
Collingwood’s lame dismissal alongside Pietersen’s shameful one handed the initiative back to the Australians in the last session, only for Prior and Flintoff to swing things back the other way with a rapid partnership which ended when the admirable Siddle got his just rewards for his indefatigable spirit when he cleaned up both of them just before the close of play.
The beauty of test cricket was encapsulated here as each team enjoyed periods of dominance, which were halted only for the initiative to be given back. Both teams will feel satisfaction mingled with disappointment, and the balance of play is such that it is not clear who eventually “won” the day.
If England fail to reach 400 then they will have missed out and given the Australians a chance which may be the crucial difference. Through all the ebb and flow of this match one thing of which we can be certain is that Pietersen will continue to be both impressive and irritating.
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