Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen slammed the side for not having a single net session after their loss in IND vs ENG 1st ODI in Nagpur. Captain Jos Buttler had cited “Long tour and traveling days” as the reason for not having any net sessions. This did not sit well with Pietersen. He lamented over the lack of time spent on the ground and poor attempts made by the England batters to improve their game against spinners in the sub-continent.
KP furious with England’s lacklusture attitude
Pietersen took a jibe at the England team for preferring to play golf instead of training ahead of the 3rd ODI. Responding to reports of only Joe Root taking part in a net session before the final game, the former England batter pointed out that the former hardly needed any net session. He further slammed Tom Banton for heading to the golf course instead of practicing after his arrival from UAE. KP pointed out that instead of preparing for Champions Trophy by hitting the nets, England just chose to while away their time.
“You have a major tournament coming up in the Champions Trophy, and from what we have heard, one batter has had a net in the last week or two: Root, the one batter who probably doesn’t need one!” Pietersen said on Star Sports.
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“Tom Banton arrived two days ago from the UAE, and he was on the golf course yesterday, he wasn’t batting. Where have the issues come? None of them can play spin. And how do you improve playing spin? In the nets!” Pietersen added.
England were handed a 0-3 thrashing at the hands of India, a major setback for the team ahead of Champions Trophy. The defeat in Ahmedabad marked the 7th loss for Jos Buttler and co. in the 8-match series.
