Eng vs Bangladesh test series : Should Kevin Pietersen be dropped for the first Test?

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Former England captain Michael Atherton believes the national side must be patient Kevin Pietersen despite his woefully poor from with the bat.More... You'd be nuts to drop KP! Michael Atherton urges selectors to keep faith with out-of-form Kevin Pietersen By Sportsmail Reporter 05th March 2010 Former England captain Michael Atherton believes the national side must be patient with the out-of-form Kevin Pietersen. After looking below par on the tour of South Africa, Pietersen was almost back to his best with two impressive knocks in the Twenty20 series against Pakistan last month. But since touching down in Bangladesh he has struggled, making nought and six in warm-up games against a BCB XI followed by scores of one, 18 and 22 in the ODI series against the Tigers. Indeed, despite his star man status in the squad, the 29-year-old is the only batsman not to make one innings of note in the three-match rubber. Despite acknowledging the question marks over Pietersen's recent performances, Atherton does not see any sense in leaving him out. 'I think all players, no matter how great you are, go through little patches (of bad form),' said Atherton. 'I wouldn't drop him, I think he's a fabulous player. 'In the matches that count he has struggled a little for form and runs. 'You often find with players. They make a big name for themselves and you ask are they able to kick on? Is he able to be the player we expect him to be? 'But he's a fabulous player and he still works harder than any other player in the team. He'll come good.'

[achilles]

The law of averages has caught up with him. He'll bounce back. Or he'll be dropped for another Saffer :giggle:

[sangrock]

The law of averages has caught up with him. He'll bounce back. Or he'll be dropped for another Saffer :giggle:

[achilles]

:hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical: I don't remember the last time I laughed so hard :hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical:

[Watson87]

The new South African dude Kieswetter looks a bit like KP, have you guys noticed>? KP is a fantastic player and I am sure he will bounce back. He is simply class and Bangladesh always brings out the best of the worst players, remember Ishatn thought he got his form back lol.

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James Tredwell stakes Test place claim but Kevin Pietersen fails again James Tredwell may have bowled himself into England's Test team after taking six wickets on day one of England's three-day match against Bangladesh A but Kevin Pietersen's form continues to be a serious problem for the tourists. More... James Tredwell stakes Test place claim but Kevin Pietersen fails again • Bangladesh A 202; England 68-3 • James Tredwell boosts Test chances with six-wicket haul Press Association guardian.co.uk, Sunday 7 March 2010 11.41 GMT James Tredwell may have bowled himself into England's Test team after taking six wickets on day one of England's three-day match against Bangladesh A but Kevin Pietersen's form continues to be a serious problem for the tourists. England dismissed the hosts for 202 – with Raqibul Hasan 107 not out – after being asked to field with the Kent spinner Tredwell returning six for 95 in an epic stint of nearly 28 overs. But the gloss was taken off the day when the hosts reduced England to 68 for three by stumps, with Pietersen making only two to continue his dire form on tour. Ajmal Shahzad was given the new ball and produced the first wicket of the day in the eighth over, Junaed Siddique caught at the wicket after scoring 16 of the first 21 runs. Steven Finn, less than 24 hours after the Middlesex paceman had arrived in Bangladesh, saw his first ball in an England shirt slashed to the third-man boundary but showed good character to restrict the batsmen to just one more run in the next 23 balls. Shamsur Rahman (21) was second man out, snared by Ian Bell at short leg despite no real appeal from Tredwell. Raqibul showed confidence early on, striking Tredwell for a big six down the ground at the end of his sixth over but Liam Plunkett returned to end Mehrab Hossain's dour knock of nine and leave the score at 71 for three at lunch. The home captain Mohammad Ashraful, hoping for a big score to secure his Test place for Friday's series opener, mustered only one before feeding Bell a second catch off Tredwell. Raqibul continued to play his shots and looked comfortable against Tredwell, off whom he took many of his 15 boundaries and three sixes, but the spinner soon had a third wicket when Shuvogoto Chowdhury (nine) aimed a lofted drive down the ground towards the 6ft 7in Finn who reached up well to take the catch. By now the tourists had their opponents teetering on 97 for five. Shahagir Hossain helped his side past three figures, with successive fours off Tredwell along the way, but was removed for 12 when the returning Finn coaxed the edge to Matt Prior. The same combination accounted for Dollar Mahmud (nought) five balls later. Meanwhile, Raqibul, who had reached 50 in 84 balls, eased past three figures for a well-earned century. Tredwell, who contributed a stint on 27.3 overs in the sun, accounted for Nur Hossain (six) and Syed Rasel (one) after tea to complete his five-wicket haul, before the last man Robiul Islam holed out to Pietersen. The opener Michael Carberry, another England rookie, was floored by a nasty blow to the box in the second over and was out for five moments later, Dollar winning the lbw decision. Jonathan Trott came to the crease and immediately looked assured, 16 of his first 20 runs coming in fours as he helped England past 50 inside 10 overs. Cook was also starting to find his feet, punching his third boundary through cover just before falling leg before to Robiul for 19. This brought Pietersen to the middle but once again his stay was a brief one. He lasted only five balls before his troubles against left-arm spin again emerged and Mehrab Hossain had him caught at the wicket for two. He now has a tally of only 49 runs in six innings since his arrival in Dhaka. Trott (32 not out) and Ian Bell (two not out) will resume tomorrow morning. Paul Collingwood, meanwhile, was rested today after having a cortisone injection in his shoulder. His availability for Friday's first Test is not thought to be in question.

[Ram]

KP's a bit like those Pakistani cricketers who have done well against India because of which they always get a longer rope from the fans and selectors alike. KP helped England win their most coveted prize against the fiercest rival after a long gap, namely the Ashes in 2005. They wont let go off him that easily. And btw, how ironic would it be, if his position in the test team were to be taken by the Kieswetter. :giggle:

[Equinox]

He got 2 today. Out again to a part-time SLA.

[Sir john]

Treadwaell is in team from 3 years.due to monti he did't make debut.

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Eng vs Bangladesh test series : Should Kevin Pietersen be dropped for the first Test? Kevin Pietersen averaged just 25.28 in the recent South Africa series and has endured a torrid start to the tour in Bangladesh. With Jonathan Trott and Craig Kieswetter in fine form should Pietersen sit out the first Test? More...

[azanian]

JP is highly overrated.

[vvvslaxman]

Nope. He will come good. But problem with him is he plays one great innings in a series and flops in every other test. He just doesn't have that consistency that is required from a premiere batsman like him. Considering he got out 4 times out of 4 to left arm spinners it might just not be just form. it could be technical.

[Dravid]

JP is highly overrated.

yes JP is indeed overrated. but KP will def. show his worth soon..

[Mr. Wicket]

If he is, then I wouldn't be able to bump How Much Pietersen Mek. :((

[Dravid]

u were bumping the shyt outta that thread when he was going at avg. around 50....so i doubt u will stop :hahaha:

[Mr. Wicket]

hey, what's his average now?

[Dravid]

hey, i care?

[Mr. Wicket]

you're the one tracking his average! i had no clue when it was 50, above or below - you apparently did. :hehe:

[Watson87]

It's not as if England is playing for the Ashes, it's Bangladesh guys even Bresnan can score a double century. Jason Gilespie anyone?

[Sir john]

never dream about droping him from team

:giggle: