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Cricket

Pietersen claims England still have fighting chance

22/03/2008

Batsman Kevin Pietersen claims England still have a fighting chance in the deciding Test with New Zealand in Napier.

England recovered from a disastrous start of 4-3 to finish the day on 240-7 thanks largely to Pietersen's 129.

The Hampshire man is the only batsman in England's top six to have posted a century during the tour to New Zealand but he claims his team-mates are not far from achieving the same feat.

He admitted that England had given away too many wickets on the opening day of the third Test but insisted they could still turn things around and win the match.

"We lost wickets at too regular intervals today on a wicket that is not that bad. It is definitely something we had to fight through and it does not help when you are 4-3," said Pietersen.

England lost Michael Vaughan, Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook in quick succession on the first morning but Pietersen says there is a long way to go yet.

He added: "There will be a few disappointed lads but that is cricket. We are looking to get ourselves a reasonable target and then you never know."

The 27-year-old claims the top order are working hard to get themselves into form and believes that some time soon a team will be on the receiving end of a big score.

He said: "The guys have put into this whole trip as much as they can and the rewards will come. I am sure it is not far away from one of these boys firing and someone is going to cop it big time."

After making his first century since August last year Pietersen said he was keen to build on his success ahead of the English summer.

England will resume the second day with Stuart Broad (42) and Ryan Sidebottom (3) as the not-out batsmen and three wickets in hand.