Kevin Pietersen Should Trust Attacking Instincts, Says Michael Vaughan
The former England captain said Pietersen should ignore critics and go after Australia's bowlers in the second Test
Michael Vaughan has encouraged Kevin Pietersen to stick by his attacking instincts for the remainder of the Ashes series. The former England captain, who led the side to success against Australia in 2005, does not believe Pietersen should become more conservative, despite the criticism aimed at him for two poor dismissals in the first Test at Cardiff.
Pietersen came under particular fire for the sweep across the line to Nathan Hauritz that cost him his first-innings wicket, but Vaughan has backed England's most attacking batsman to go after the off-spinner when the sides meet at Lord's for the second Test starting on Thursday.
"What we expect from Kevin is for him to play to his maximum ability. He got out playing a shot he'd played before and knocked for one," Vaughan told BBC Radio 5 Live. "But what I'd have liked to see was Kevin taking on Hauritz down the ground a few more times and hitting him for six. I've seen him do it to Shane Warne and to Murali, so I'd like him to attack a little bit more.
"As captain I always felt if Kevin could bat for three hours he could take the game away from the opposition. I want to see him continue in a positive vein because that's the kind of player he is."
Vaughan, who announced his retirement from cricket shortly before the current series began, also urged the England selectors to pick Steve Harmison, even if Andrew Flintoff is fit to play. Flintoff had a precautionary scan yesterday on his right knee, which was operated on earlier this year, and could be forced to sit out the second Ashes Test.
"I think he [Harmison] will play," Vaughan told Talksport. "I've a sneaky suspicion Freddie might not be fit. I know knees. I've studied knees for 10 years because of my own [knee problems]. But I'd be tempted to play him [Harmison] anyway because I think he could be that bowler that could put the Australians under a bit of pressure."
Vaughan admitted being surprised and impressed by Australia's performance in the first Test. "I saw a lot of positives from the Australian side; they were very, very good," he said.
"I didn't think they would be as good as before. They don't have the 'x-factor' players that they did before. But what they do possess is a fantastic unit. They'll be very tough for us to beat."
Pietersen came under particular fire for the sweep across the line to Nathan Hauritz that cost him his first-innings wicket, but Vaughan has backed England's most attacking batsman to go after the off-spinner when the sides meet at Lord's for the second Test starting on Thursday.
"What we expect from Kevin is for him to play to his maximum ability. He got out playing a shot he'd played before and knocked for one," Vaughan told BBC Radio 5 Live. "But what I'd have liked to see was Kevin taking on Hauritz down the ground a few more times and hitting him for six. I've seen him do it to Shane Warne and to Murali, so I'd like him to attack a little bit more.
"As captain I always felt if Kevin could bat for three hours he could take the game away from the opposition. I want to see him continue in a positive vein because that's the kind of player he is."
Vaughan, who announced his retirement from cricket shortly before the current series began, also urged the England selectors to pick Steve Harmison, even if Andrew Flintoff is fit to play. Flintoff had a precautionary scan yesterday on his right knee, which was operated on earlier this year, and could be forced to sit out the second Ashes Test.
"I think he [Harmison] will play," Vaughan told Talksport. "I've a sneaky suspicion Freddie might not be fit. I know knees. I've studied knees for 10 years because of my own [knee problems]. But I'd be tempted to play him [Harmison] anyway because I think he could be that bowler that could put the Australians under a bit of pressure."
Vaughan admitted being surprised and impressed by Australia's performance in the first Test. "I saw a lot of positives from the Australian side; they were very, very good," he said.
"I didn't think they would be as good as before. They don't have the 'x-factor' players that they did before. But what they do possess is a fantastic unit. They'll be very tough for us to beat."
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