Former England Skipper Kevin Pietersen wants the England team to bring in the England regular wicket-keeper batter Ben Foakes for the forthcoming games of the Ashes series. Ben Stokes-led side will look to stage a comeback in the 2nd game in Lord’s test after losing the first match in a close manner.
Ben Foakes was unfortunate to miss on the Ashes squad, as the England side went in with experienced Jonny Bairstow in the team, as he could not do the job for his side with the glove missing a few stumpings and catches behind the stumps in the first match.
Speaking to the media ahead of the 2nd test, Pietersen believes that the England team needs to bring in their primary wicket-keeper Ben Foakes the side for the upcoming games, as he perfect player for the team in the flat wicket and believes that the team brings him in place of Ben Duckett, as Bairstow can open the innings alongside Zak Crawley in the 2nd test.
“I don’t think the England team is going to change, that’s not what McCullum and Stokes do, but I would get Foakes in if they’re going to play on flat wickets. I would get him in as quickly as possible.”
“Bairstow has to bat, of course, but I’d drop Duckett and have Bairstow at the top of the order, or just move everybody up one spot and play Foakes as the keeper. That’s what I would do,” Kevin Pietersen said.
England side dominated the 1st match from the start of the game, as they performed brilliantly well to reduce Australia to 227-8 in the chase 280 runs, with Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon putting in a match-winning partnership in the final session to take their team home on high octane clash, as they look to continue the same aggressive brand of cricket going forward in the series.
I Actually Like The Fact That They Back The Players That Much – Kevin Pietersen
Kevin Pietersen admitted that the England team would not try to change anything in the 2nd test, as they are always known for backing their players irrespective of the results in the previous game, and also lauded them for taking the pressure from the media in dictating the team selection.
“I don’t think anything changes, though. They back their players, and I actually like the fact that they back the players that much and don’t worry about what we in the media say,” Kevin Pietersen added.
Ben Stokes-led side will be huge against a well-oiled Australian team in the 2nd test, It will be interesting to see whether England persists with Moeen Ali or bring in the fourth pacer in the team for the upcoming games in England.