ENG v IND 2018: Vaughan gives a befitting reply to Pietersen’s remark on dipping batting standards in county cricket

Pietersen has highlighted the dipping batting standards in county cricket after the English top order crumbled against Indian pace attack in Southampton.

Vaughan gave the example of Sam Curran's knock to counter Pietersen’s point | Getty

Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen on Thursday (August 30) highlighted the dipping batting standards in county cricket. Pietersen’s comments came in after the English top order crumbled against the Indian pace attack on the opening day of the third Test at The Ageas Bowl, Southampton.

England were tottering at 86/6 after opting to bat first. While Jasprit Bumrah claimed the wickets of Keaton Jennings (0) and Jonny Bairstow (6); Ishant Sharma and Hardik Pandya removed Joe Root (4) and Alastair Cook (17) respectively to reduce the home team to 57/4 at Lunch. In the second session, Mohammad Shami dented England by removing Jos Buttler (21) and Ben Stokes (23).

Seeing the way England batsmen were found out once again in the series, Pietersen, who has represented England in 104 Tests, took to Twitter and wrote: “The world of T20 franchise cricket has hurt County Cricket. Why would the best pro’s play CC when they can earn big $$ playing T20’s. Therefore, the standard of CC batting has declined rapidly which means the growth of youngsters is a lot slower than where it was.”

India were expected to bundle out England within 150 after they reduced the hosts to 86/6. However, Surrey all-rounder Sam Curran’s heroic innings (78) helped England to post a competitive total of 246 in the first innings.

Firstly, Curran stitched a significant 81-run partnership with Moeen Ali (40) to bail England out of trouble and then followed it up with a valuable 63-run stand with Stuart Broad. In the process, Curran completed his second half-century of the series.

Responding to Pietersen’s tweet, former England captain Michael Vaughan gave the example of Curran’s innings. He also reminded KP that Sam Curran is a young player and is a product of county cricket.

 “Sam Curran is doing ok ... He is a Young player Kevin,” Vaughan wrote in his reply.

 

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 31 Aug, 2018

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