Buzzin Cricket

I thoroughly enjoyed watching Kevin Pietersen record his 12th Test century and first of the summer. I love watching him bat and more often that not, if he is on song, it will lift the crowd and the players. When he is in his comfort zone, bowlers have every right to be fearful – he takes no prisoners when on form and can be one of the most lethal batsmen in world cricket.

Where is the problem? I hear you ask. Well, over the last few months, we haven’t seen enough of the Kevin Pietersen that we know and love. Despite an important century over the winter, he wasn’t himself in New Zealand. He seemed to be trying to play like an orthodox English batsman and was far more reserved in his approach. This shouldn’t be the way to go for him. Simply, he is NOT an orthodox English batsman and shouldn’t attempt to be one.

The success he has experienced in international cricket so far has been a result of taking the game to the bowlers, being aggressive, being confident and in all honesty, being arrogant. The way he played Shane Warne in the 2005 Ashes series, a clear example of this.

His most recent century, after a quiet spell where he has scored many mediocre scores, signals a return to the Kevin Pietersen of old. I truly believe that. In what was a priceless innings for his team, he dominated the New Zealand bowling attack and had a swagger about him, showing that he meant business. It was a watchful innings to begin with, but the situation dictated that – England were 86-5 just after lunch.

The way he built his innings though and the way he went onto play with the unorthodox freedom that he had become famous for was so pleasing to see. The extravagant shot through mid-wicket came out of the locker with fantastic results and even though it was his slowest test century it has to go down as one of his best. His celebration told its own story as well, a contrast to the subdued celebration in New Zealand when he reached his century, Pietersen leaped in the air, clenched his fists and seem to have a ‘I’m back’ expression on his face. That’s more like it KP.

Pietersen will look to continue in this manner during the one-day series against the Kiwis and the eagerly anticipated test series against South Africa. He loves playing against the country of his birth and with regards to your cricket betting, I would advise you to back Pietersen to be the leading run scorer in the series against Graham Smith’s men. If this is the case, we can look forward to being entertained with some flamboyant stroke play from a man getting back to his best.