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Pietersen gives backing to 'brilliant' snail-like England

07/03/2008

England batsman Kevin Pietersen has claimed his sluggish 42 on the third day of the first Test against New Zealand was one of his best-ever innings.

The tourists plodded to a pedestrian 286-6 at the end of the day, putting on 199 runs at an average of just over two an over throughout the three sessions.

But even without the usual fireworks that come with a Pietersen innings, the middle-order star claimed he was as proud of his 131-ball effort as any other since his international debut.

"I needed to be a different Kevin Pietersen today. The conditions didn't allow you to be a free-flowing batsman and I think their bowlers bowled particularly well," he said afterwards.

"[Daniel] Vettori is a world-class spinner, [Jeetan] Patel bowled well and their seamers made it difficult as well. It was really, really hard batting conditions out there and the wicket didn't help to score freely.

Pietersen continued: "To be honest, I think today was one of my better knocks I think I've played for England even though I blocked the ball.

"I didn't try anything stupid in my whole innings, I've developed into a player who can adjust and, if needs be, play like that."

The South African-born big-hitter also backed his team-mates, who contributed to the plodding effort with similarly dogged innings of their own.

Captain Michael Vaughan took 177 balls to make his 63, Andrew Strauss was at the crease for 118 deliveries for just 43 runs and Paul Collingwood faced 111 deliveries in making his unbeaten 41.

But in doing so the tourists lost just four wickets all day and Pietersen claimed such a determined display was vital, especially given the match situation.

"Our guys batted brilliantly, I think we put in a great performance here," the Hampshire man added.

"If a few of us had tried to play our normal games and got out for ten or 15 we could have been in a whole lot of trouble tonight - we were asked to bat the whole day, we were asked to scrap and we certainly scrapped as much as we can.

"To lose only four wickets in the day is a fantastic effort. Yes, we haven't scored as many runs as everybody would have liked, but it's not that kind of wicket."