Kevin Pietersen predicts a 2-1 Australia win, says sledging good for game

Controversy’s favourite child Kevin Pietersen

As the most famous enmity in cricket begins to be played out in Cardiff tomorrow, Kevin Pietersen predicts that Australia will win the series 2-1. He said so in his column for The Daily Telegraph, writing, “I want England to win but I can’t just see it happening. I hope I am wrong”.

The England side suffered a humiliating defeat in the 2013-14 series, after which Pietersen was sacked. He believes that if England are to win this series, then they must attack instead of defend. “You have to make a play,” added Pietersen.“England have to come out and attack Australia. There is no way in the world they are going to win the series by being defensive.”

He said that the fact that England does not have a strike bowler and Australia has Mitchell Johnson, who took 37 wickets at the last England-Australia encounter makes the series even more difficult for England. Backing Johnson will be Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, who too have played well recently.

Sledging good for the game: Pietersen

England do have James Anderson, who is in fact ranked second in the ICC Test bowling rankings, but Pietersen believes that without backup England will find it hard to fight against the Aussies.

“The difference between the two teams this series is we do not have that strike bowler who can lead the attack and take wickets while James Anderson is resting between spells.Two years ago we had Graeme Swann but I’m concerned as to who will be our match-winner if Anderson does not turn up.

“It is essential Stuart Broad and Mark Wood are firing and taking wickets. England’s route to victory then lies with Alastair Cook and Joe Root scoring lots of runs, and the bowling attack working in partnerships to make up for that lack of a strike bowler”, he wrote.

Pieterson has never shied away from controversy. The 35-year-old wrote, “The Ashes is sporting war and sledging is good for the game. I want more of it and I want there to be fire in the series. I do not want to see people laughing and joking with each other. It is Ashes cricket. You do not test people mentally by smiling at the opposition on the field.”

He added, “Do not cross the line or be personal. But stand up and take them on.”