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Ashes 2013: Kevin Pietersen's third Test chances 'pretty good'

Last updated on .From the section Cricketcomments169

Alastair Cook avoids 'dangerous' 5-0 whitewash talk

England batsman Kevin Pietersen's chances of being fit to play in the third Ashes Test are "pretty good", according to captain Alastair Cook.

Pietersen has been a doubt for the Old Trafford match, which starts on Thursday, after suffering a calf strain in the second Test victory 10 days ago.

He was unable to field in Australia's second innings as England won at Lord's to take a 2-0 lead in the series.external-link

Cook said they would decide on Thursday morning whether Pietersen plays.

"He has come through training the last two days," said Cook. "He has worked incredibly hard with the medical team so fingers crossed."

But he added: "If it flares up during a match, then it leaves you disadvantaged. You're either injured or you are not.

"It is a difficult game to go into if you are not 100% fit."

James Taylor is in the squad as cover but the Nottinghamshire batsman may not be required as Pietersen trained on Wednesday with little indication his injured calf was hampering him.

Pietersen batted for 15 minutes as England's preparations mostly took place indoors because of the wet weather in Manchester.

The 33-year-old did venture outdoors briefly, for three 30-yard shuttle runs on a damp outfield, but quickly went back inside.

Pietersen returned to the England fold for the Ashes after a knee injury in the second Test against New Zealand in March ruled him out of action for three months.

Cook gave no indication as to whether 6ft 7in pace bowler Chris Tremlett would return to the team for the first time since England lost to Pakistan in Dubai in January 2012 following his call-up to the squad at the expense of Steve Finn.

"It's great for us as a squad that he is back," Cook added. "He has been unlucky with injuries since his last Test match.

"He has been working hard. It is great for competition for places."

England can retain the Ashes if they avoid defeat at Old Trafford, but Cook is refusing to get swept along with talk that a whitewash could be on the cards.

He said: "It's dangerous to start thinking of a 5-0. We are a very good side but we take games one step at a time."

The third Test will see Ashes cricket return to Old Trafford for the first time in eight years, with the redeveloped ground now holding 25,750 - second only to Lord's (30,000) in capacity among England's Test grounds.

"It's a good cricket wicket," Cook added. "Since the remodelling of the pitch [the square has been rotated through 90 degrees] it might have lost a little bit of that Old Trafford pace that used to be here.

"But it is a great place and with the new development it is looking very nice. We usually get the break of the ball here and hopefully that can help us again this week."

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169 comments

  • Comment posted by Jimmy, at 12:45 31 Jul 2013

    While KP can hit big innings he is unreliable and his fitness is now getting more questionable. With Australia struggling, surely this would be ideal for Taylor to get some experience.

  • Comment posted by Unlimited, at 20:36 31 Jul 2013

    KP is my favourite England batsman but surely it is clear Taylor must come into the side. KP hasn't made many runs in the first two tests, is carrying an injury AND Taylor has just hit 121 not out against Australia in a tour game. Taylor should play. He's been unlucky not to get more chances already. Taylor will be really scratching his head if he isn't picked this time instead of a half fit KP.

  • Comment posted by U15639487, at 13:04 31 Jul 2013

    Have to laugh at these forums sometimes - we all have our opinions as to who is good and who isn't and that's fair enough.

    At the end of the day the current Eng team is successful and has been for several years now - this is a result of the Eng selectors and management making the right decisions. We are all experts of course, but my faith is in the people that really know!

  • Comment posted by alexsmith55, at 12:42 31 Jul 2013

    Why not rest him for this test, maybe even the rest of the series and blood Taylor as the next in line. Bit of a gamble if KP breaks down in the field and can't bat as regardless of what people think, this is an important Test as if the Aussies claw it back to 2-1 then who knows what will happen

  • Comment posted by 4everEng, at 16:35 31 Jul 2013

    Drop him! Get in the youngster. This series is all but won and the experience will be invaluable for the winter tour. KP has been great but he is well past his best. Thanks and good bye.

  • Comment posted by Un homme honnete, at 20:55 31 Jul 2013

    J Taylor must be selected. Aussies on the ropes- they don't have a comeback in them. Their collective body language was poor in last Test - especially considering that I've grown up admiring their fierce competitiveness and never-die attitude.

    KP easily England's most talented batsman. No doubt there.
    However, in comparison to a 70% fit KP, an in-form Taylor deserves a call-up; he's earned it.

  • Comment posted by B4N, at 21:40 31 Jul 2013

    "I've never rated KP" what games have you been watching?!His last 3 hundreds- in columbo, headingley (v SA) and mumbai have been scintillating innings of rare class. This guy is a once in a generation talent for England and when hes gone you'll miss his runs and presence he brings to the batting line up, as well as putting fear into the opposition

    btw taylor will score many test runs for england!

  • Comment posted by Alan, at 17:29 31 Jul 2013

    Personally I think it is a matter of time before KP joins the T20 carnival and says goodbye to England, I for one won't be shedding too many tears !! England will need to look beyond KP and this may present a good opportunity to see how Taylor goes with the winter ashes in mind.

  • Comment posted by ferafestiva, at 17:25 31 Jul 2013

    Never rated KP - his last showings have proved that he hasn't got it at the moment - we simply should not be playing him this time around. For some reason he seems to be talismanic for the England side this despite lacklustre performances recently. Why the obsession with him? Surely whilst his past performances have proved him capable his current form means his place is in doubt.

  • Comment posted by cfccal23, at 13:51 31 Jul 2013

    @68 @76

    He just scored 121* against an attack compromising of 2 possibly 3 bowlers that will play in the next test for Australia. He didn't score enough against SA the best bowling attack in world cricket. But in terms of run scoring you can only play what's in front of you.He's averaging over 100 in YB40 and has scored 800+ runs in FC cricket. Technique hasn't changed much he's just improved!

  • Comment posted by RememberScarborough, at 13:32 31 Jul 2013

    Drop Chef?? The lunatics will well and truly have taken over the asylum if that happens!! He's in charge of a team that only needs to draw one of the next three test matches to retain the Ashes and yet there are numpties who still aren't happy.

    For those of us (older than about five!!) who remember us getting stuffed in most matches you have to wonder what these kids are on...

  • Comment posted by rich1uk, at 22:11 31 Jul 2013

    always makes me laugh when people go on about how inconsistent KP is and he fails too often

    if we look at the percentage of total test innings where they have failed to score 40+

    KP 57.6%
    trott 59.5%
    cook 60.4%

    so how can he fail too often when he reaches at least 40 more often than either trott or cook ?

    amazing how dislike can cause selective amnesia in so many people

  • Comment posted by Surely not, at 19:26 31 Jul 2013

    Just a hunch but I reckon Taylors ton will mean he will play.

  • Comment posted by BigJim1, at 15:51 31 Jul 2013

    Who cares if he is fit, he should never have been let back in to the Test team the way he and his inflated ego disrupted it. Since his recall he has been a very intermittent batsman and lives on his past reputation, time to discard and give the youngsters a chance. Winning is not everything - how you win is more important.

  • Comment posted by Andy, at 15:50 31 Jul 2013

    Tricky one. If KP was truly fit and scoring a mountain of runs then there is no question. However, with injuries and poor form of late (India was a while ago), why not give JT a chance? Plus England are 2 up...

  • Comment posted by Big Wolls, at 15:21 31 Jul 2013

    Don't think KP is the man - he hasnt done much recently in Tests and if his fitness is in doubt - as it must be - we would be better off without him. His poorer innings have outweighed his good ones in recent seasons - we have a good buffer zone - younger players knocking on the door have to have their chance and this is the time to do it. If nec he could be back for the 4th test.

  • Comment posted by U13887972, at 13:55 31 Jul 2013

    It's not 'all over' yet, although it certainly looks to be heading that way.
    So experience is still a factor in choosing between KP & Taylor, presuming both fit.
    Can't underestimate its value. KP has done it all before, he may be going through a lean spell but the more he plays the more the likelihood of a big innings.
    No half tons after the next 2 tests and if the series is won, then rethink.

  • Comment posted by cfccal23, at 13:41 31 Jul 2013

    I'd also add that I don't think he is that weak on the short ball. I'm working in Notts this summer so I've seen a fair bit of him. He seems to be very strong on the cut. At times he struggles to keep the pull shot down, but with the amount of runs he's scored in all forms of cricket this year, clearly isn't holding him back to much. He's much improved on last year and has sorted his game out.

  • Comment posted by U15712565, at 13:38 31 Jul 2013

    64. hackenjack

    He's no more or less out of form than Cook or Trott.

    62. Dragon_Soup

    Getting Tremlett back in the side (probably not at Old Trafford) is key. I haven't seen a spell of sustained accurate line-and-length bowling like he came up with in Australia for absolutely years.

  • Comment posted by More Sense Than Most, at 13:35 31 Jul 2013

    Oh, great(!). He can score another 7 runs over two innings - Australia must be shaking in their boots. Out of form, unfit and trouble wherever he goes. Drop him now.

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