Defiant Pietersen hits back at critics

LONDON: Kevin Pietersen insists he will use the forthcoming Ashes showdown with Australia to prove he is still one of the world’s best batsmen. Pietersen has suffered a miserable run of form over the last 12 months and was dropped from England’s one-day international squad which faced Pakistan in September.
The flamboyant batsman knows that many experts, including former Australia coach John Buchanan, believe he is no longer the force he once was. But Pietersen, 30, is adamant talk of his demise is premature and he expects to make a significant impact as England try to win a Test series in Australia for the first time since 1986-87.
South-African born Pietersen played a key role in England winning their first Ashes series in 18 years in 2005 and also took part in last year’s successful campaign against Australia on home soil. Pietersen, who is part of the 16-man team that will fly to Perth on Friday to prepare for England’s Ashes defence, is confident Andrew Strauss’s team are capable of winning in Australia – a feat which he would regard as the finest of his international career.
“It is huge for an England cricketer to go to Australia to take part in an Ashes series. “You don’t win there often. I have been part of two winning series in the UK and have lost one in Australia. “I’m really looking forward to this one though because I think we can go and do a lot better than we did last time. “I see this as an unbelievable opportunity to do something that would be the pinnacle of my career.
“I’ve won the Ashes and I’ve won a World Cup and to win in Australia as an Englishman would be the icing on the cake and the cherry on top. It would be a case of done and dusted.” Pietersen has endured what he describes as an “interesting” 12 months which has seen him win the ICC World Twenty20 and father his first child while continuing to struggle in all forms of the game.
He has failed to hit a Test century since the start of last year but remains completely convinced he can trouble Ricky Ponting’s team on their own turf. Pietersen has already been taunted by Ponting and company for his lack of form, but he doesn’t expect much abuse on the pitch when the Ashes battle gets underway.