England Cricket Betting: You'd have to be nuts to back KP's England

England Cricket / Ed Hawkins / 12 August 2008 / 3 Comments

Ed Hawkins is not known as 'Hawkeye' for nothing. He spotted something in Kevin Pietersen's first match as captain of England to make you think twice before backing any of his teams in the future.

There was a genius piece of captaincy during England's pride-boosting fourth Test victory at The Oval over South Africa last week. In fact, it could almost be described as match-winning.

South African pair AB de Villiers and Mark Boucher were looking assured in their second innings as the visitors threatened to post a target of more than 200 in the fourth innings. So confident were they that the 50-run partnership was in reach and the England fielders were beginning to look nervous.

So their brain box stepped forward just in time. A part-time bowler was used for one over so James Anderson could switch to the end which would aid his outswing more because of the breeze blowing across the ground. With his first delivery at Boucher, who was perturbed by the tactical switch, Anderson got one to spit and the South Africa wicket-keeper offered a simple chance to point.

It was a clever piece of decision-making and one that suggests, in a tumultuous period for English cricket, that the future is bright. Well, it would if captain Kevin Pietersen had been the man that came up with idea of switching Anderson.

It was Andrew Strauss' scheme. The opening batsman intervened with Pietersen about to hand the ball to Monty Panesar for another over. A short chat ensued with Pietersen wearing the face of a man who had just seen the light and poor old Strauss wandering back to his fielding position with a look of, "Oh, what might have been."

Strauss, of course, captained England with class and calmness in a 2-0 win over Pakistan two summers ago, a result which should have ensured he led England in the Ashes series to follow that winter.

It wasn't surprising to see Strauss offer advice, therefore. It was just in the nick of time because for the first moment in the Test, Pietersen was beginning to look slightly baffled as to how to break a burgeoning partnership.

It did not take long for the feeling to return for the man captaining England for the first time. De Villiers and Paul Harris caused Pietersen's brow to furrow further with a stand five runs short of a century.

He won't be the first captain to suffer an irritating partnership between a batsman and a tailender. However, he might be the first captain not to employ more than one slip with a new ball.

It was an astonishing decision by the new leader. With AB de Villiers on strike, Pietersen thought it best to keep fielders out and allow the South African No. 6 to take singles at will. And all the time adding to a potentially tricky lead. Strauss, perhaps thinking, "Oh, what could be," kept his counsel even when de Villiers got a genuine edge which would have carried straight to second slips' hands.

It took another 15 overs with the new ball for England to break the partnership and eventually go on to wrap up the match. In all the post-match back slapping - actually there was quite a lot of that from a tactile KP during play - the almighty rick has largely been forgotten.

But punters should find a scrap of paper, write it down and pin it on the fridge. Such bonkers decisions could be what Pietersen's reign is remembered for rather than becoming only the fourth England captain to score a ton in his first Test in charge.

And that means until Pietersen convinces us that he can think in clear and concise fashion, we need to suffer a brain surge on a par with his new ball faux pas to back his England Test side.

Comments (3)

1. anthony | 13 August 2008

   Hi,

   Your views, which you are entitled to and which in time might be proved to be a good shout. However, I have to say, that our new cricket captain, should be complimented on a first win in the role. It isn't easy, as other captains of their country have proved. Given time, I am sure he will do a good job.. Also, other people on the field with him, should have the confidence to approach their captain with, what they consider, ways of getting people out. When I played I would encourage other members of the team, to give me any help, with options, That I may have missed.

   "Give him time"

2. John H | 13 August 2008

   Interesting stuff, I'd completely missed that aspect of the Pietersen decision. Suspect Strauss will have to be biting his tongue a lot in team meetings for the next few months.

3. beno | 16 August 2008

   To captain a side to victory against a hungover, less than competative SA team, made famous for their lack of effort in previous series'.

   Is not my idea of proven class. KP will be shown to be very wanting in the next few months. especialy on the sub-continent. Just wait to see what happens when things really go against him, his boddy language is shocking at times.

   The one thing it does offer the mercenary, is great value from a betting point of view. England are always over priced, now there is even more reason to lay them.