Former England pacer Steve Harmison lambasted his former teammate Kevin Pietersen over his choice of words about the England performance on the 1st day of the second test in Lord’s. The former England skipper criticized the England team for their bowling on Day 1.
Cricketer-turned-commentator Kevin Pietersen came down heavily on the Ben Stokes-led side, calling their performance shambolic as he expressed his displeasure over the current players’ attitude recalling the fiery battles of the Ashes series.
Sharing his opinion on Pietersen’s statement, His former teammate Steve Harmsion slammed Kevin Pietersen for his criticism of the England team, stating that the mainstream media pay him to give his opinion o on the public medium.
“I don’t think it was justified, I think this team has had one or two bad days in 12-13 months. I think some of the stuff that they were having a go at them (for), too matey, I think there’s a time and a place.
“But they’re in the mainstream media, they’re paid to give their opinion, and I’m not going to knock Kevin for having his opinion – he’s always had it,” Steve Harmison told talkSPORT.
Steve Harmison was part of the England squad in the historic 2005 series alongside Kevin Pietersen. He has been one of England’s best bowlers in the 2005 Ashes series, he finished it with 17 wickets and was a vital cog in their bowling line-up. Although he only had one five-wicket haul in the series, he troubled pace the Australian batter throughout the series.
I Think At Times There Were A Lot Of Frustration On Day 1 – Steve Harmison
Steve Harmison took a dig at Kevin Pietersen stating that he always has an opinion on something and feels that his words about the player’s attitude would be received well by the players in the dressing room and believes that the time and place to say certain and added that it was only end of Day 1 as they more four days left to the play the full game.
“He was always forceful with it, it wasn’t always warranted, it wasn’t always best received! I’m sure it wasn’t best received in the England dressing room (ahead of day two), it certainly wasn’t best received by the England dressing room when we were in it.”
“But a few of us could say to Kevin, in no uncertain terms, to shut up. But he’s getting paid to give his opinion, I think at times there was a lot of frustration (on day one), but you’ve got to look at it in a five-day way. If he said that on day five when England have just got beaten, I’d probably agree with him,” Steve Harmison concluded.
England’s aggressive approach against Australia is not well received by some cricket experts as they criticize that Ben Stokes and C0. for not playing a sensible brand of cricket, which led to their loss in the 1st test in Edgbaston.