Kevin Pietersen erupts over ‘shambolic’ scene as Australia dominates England

Kevin Pietersen gave his countrymen an extraordinary tongue-lashing after behind-the-scenes images emerged from the Second Test at Lord’s.

Your move, Bazball.

England’s care-free approach to Test cricket under coach Brendon McCullum is facing its fiercest criticism after Australia dominated day one of the Second Test at Lord’s.

David Warner (66), Steve Smith (85 not out) and Travis Head (77) all scored freely as the visitors pressed their foot on the hosts’ necks to finish the day 5/339 after a famous two-wicket win in the First Test.

England followed that defeat at Edgbaston by talking about how entertaining they’d made the game and how Australia had been afraid to take them on - but those comments looked even more ridiculous after a completely one-sided start at the home of cricket.

England was off the boil before a ball was bowled, trailing the Australian openers to the field after winning the toss and then engaging in friendly conversation that infuriated former Test batsman Kevin Pietersen.

Electing to bowl in favourable conditions on a green wicket, England failed to make early in-roads as David Warner built a platform before Smith combined with Marnus Labuschagne (47) and Head for 100-run stands.

Pietersen was beside himself at the tea break with Australia on 2/190 after every England bowler outside Josh Tongue (2/88) bowled at pedestrian speed.

“It’s been shambolic. Absolutely shambolic,” Pietersen said during the tea break.

“You have overhead conditions, you have a wicket that suits your bowlers and you’ve got bowlers running in at 78, 79, 80 mile an hour.”

As images of Australia’s opening pair Usman Khawaja (17) and David Warner waiting out on the ground for the England team were played, Pietersen erupted.

Kevin Pietersen slammed the England's team approach on Day One of the Second Test. Pictures: Channel 9

Pietersen thought the England players should have been out on the field first. Pictures: Channel 9

“Now it’s one thing walking in, swanning around saying ‘this is a wonderful team to play in, we’re creating the best environment’,” he said.

“But this is not Ashes cricket. I’ve played Ashes cricket. I’ve played 30 matches against Australia.

“The Australians here were outside to bat before the English bowlers. The English bowlers this morning should have been on those stairs saying ‘we want to bowl at Australia, we’re desperate to bowl at Australia’. These two Australian batters are out there waiting for England.”

The former Test batsmen’s intensity only increased when images of the opposing teams chatting on the boundary were shown.

“It’s all too easy and it’s all too nice. Are you telling me Ricky Ponting in 2005 is going to be talking to Geraint Jones? You think Michael Vaughan is going to be standing next to Justin Langer and saying ‘awesome mate, what a cool day …’?

“Are you joking? Are you absolutely joking? I just hope they’re in that dressing room now and the England coach is giving them the biggest hammering and saying ‘it’s not good enough, it’s absolutely not good enough!’.”

Kevin Pietersen slammed the England's team approach on Day One of the Second Test. Pictures: Channel 9

The lack of pace on offer from England’s all-pace attack was a regular talking point.

“It’s just not good enough, it really isn’t,” Pietersen said during the second session.

“These guys are expected to bowl Australia out today and it’s just getting sloppy. Not enough balls in the right area. And the speeds haven’t been up.

“(Ollie) Robinson, in his first couple of spells, was bowling at 78 miles an hour and David Warner was sweeping him. It all just looks a little bit too easy here for Australia.”

“The speeds have got to improve,” Pietersen added. “You can’t bowl at 80 miles an hour. At 80 miles an hour, when the ball deviates you can recover and you can manage the deviation.

“When Josh Tongue was bowling earlier at 85, 86, 87 miles an hour it is a completely different game. The English have to bowl with more power and nip and bowl in better areas.

“Anderson has averaged 81 this morning and Broad has averaged 81. Robinson 79. Stokes 79. Josh Tongue has been up at 86. Those are the bowlers. Those are the averages. That tells a story in itself.”

Very positive batting by the Aussies at Lords but geeze it’s been a friendly 40 odd overs by England. Hardly a short ball and too many half volleys.

— Mark Waugh (@juniorwaugh349) June 28, 2023

It only got worse later in the day as Head played another special innings.

The Aussie No. 5’s runs came at better than a run-a-ball as he took the game away from England before a late double strike by Joe Root made the scoreboard a little more respectable.

Root had Head stumped and then removed Cameron Green - who went for an early heave - for a duck to give the hosts hope of keeping the first innings total under 400.

But Smith, who became the second quickest man to 9000 Test runs midway through the day, will be eyeing his 32nd century when he resumes with Alex Carey (11 not out) tomorrow.

Opening bowlers James Anderson (0/29 from 15 overs) and Stuart Broad (0/72 from 18 Overs) failed to take a wicket while new villain Robinson (1/86 from 21 overs) only managed one and was on the receiving end of a stinging sledge by Aussie commentator Mel Jones.

“England were no good today, let’s be honest,” former England captain Vaughan said.

“I just look at the way England talk about the game (and) prepare for the game - it’s all in a very casual nature.

“And they take that out into the middle when it really matters. This is the Ashes. This is not like any other series - you have to be switched on all the time.

“And that casual nature - in terms of their fielding and approach - it’s costing England.”