England great Kevin Pietersen savages Cameron Green, Australian batting ahead of Ashes

Long-time Ashes agitator Kevin Pietersen has torched Australia’s batting in the wake of their World Test Championship collapse – while saving a special sledge for rising star Cameron Green.

Ashes agitator Kevin Pietersen has declared Cameron Green “is not a Test No.3” and warned there is nothing in Australia’s batting that will scare England this summer.

The England Test great commentated on Australia’s World Test Championship collapse to South Africa at Lord’s and came away convinced Ben Stokes’ Baz Ballers have a genuine opportunity to cause a major upset in the Ashes.

Pietersen said Australia’s bowling led by Pat Cummins will naturally threaten England, but feels the batting line-up is an entirely different story.

Marnus Labuschagne is set to be dropped for the next Test in the West Indies, but Pietersen said that doesn’t go deep enough to solving Australia’s top three dilemma.

“The batting is not what the batting used to be. Apart from Steve Smith,” Pietersen said.

Cameron Green had a forgettable World Test Championship final. Picture: Getty

“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.

“Cameron Green is not a No.3.

“Smith is a different level, a modern great.

“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.

Steve Smith, the only batsmen rated highly by England great Kevin Pietersen, is a doubt for the West Indies series through injury. Picture: AP

“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.”

Pietersen supported Australia’s decision to back in elder statesman Usman Khawaja for the Ashes.

“Uzzie is what Uzzie is. He has a good record,” Pietersen said.

Australian captain Cummins declared in the wake of the World Test Championship defeat that a new era must start now.

Pietersen was a thorn in the side of Australian teams for years. Picture: Getty

Labuschagne is all but certain to be dropped while Steve Smith is set to be ruled out of the first Test in the West Indies starting on June 25.

That means Sam Konstas will come in to open and Josh Inglis is also set to earn a recall following his century on debut in Sri Lanka.

Nathan McSweeney appears the clear favourite to be called into the squad if Australia decides to summons a cover player for Smith, which seems likely.

No.3 appears the big issue for Australia with Khawaja and Konstas the preferred openers for the Ashes.

McSweeney is a specialist No.3 for South Australia and perhaps this could be his avenue back to the Test team if selectors do decide Green is better off further down the order.

Green perhaps deserves more of an opportunity in the position given he only lasted five balls at Lord’s across two innings against Kagiso Rabada, one of the world’s most formidable quicks.

If Australia does decide Green is not their Ashes No.3 then it puts Beau Webster’s position in the team in jeopardy given Green is pushing towards being able to bowl again by the Ashes in his return from back surgery.

Originally published as England great Kevin Pietersen savages Cameron Green, Australian batting ahead of Ashes