Pietersen slams England for being ‘too nice’ days after expletive Ashes send off

England’s laboured performance on the opening day of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s has led to Kevin Pietersen accusing them of being “absolutely shambolic,” as Australia’s batters dominated the proceedings.

Former Ashes winner Pietersen didn’t hold back in his scathing assessment of England’s bowling efforts, with the tourists ending the day on 339 for five. Joe Root’s last-minute intervention, taking two wickets in four balls as a part-time spinner, made the scorecard look a little prettier for the home side.

“From an English perspective, not a lot has caught my eye; it’s been shambolic. Absolutely shambolic,” Pietersen said on Sky Sports. “With overhead conditions, wickets that suit your bowlers, and bowlers running in at 78, 79, 80 miles per hour, now it’s one thing swanning around here saying ‘this is a wonderful team to play in, we’re creating the best environment.’ But this is not Ashes cricket.”

Despite the presence of live green grass and gloomy overhead cloud cover – conditions seemingly favourable for England’s five-strong seam attack – Australia dictated the game.

Half-centuries from David Warner (66), Travis Head (77), and Steve Smith (85 not out) left the visitors in a commanding position.

Pietersen also criticised the lack of intensity on the field, only a week after Ollie Robinson’ was criticised by Australian media for his expletive-filled send-off to Usman Khawaja at Edgbaston.

“It’s all too easy, too nice. Are you telling me Ricky Ponting in 2005 is going to be talking to Geraint Jones? You think Michael Vaughan is going to be stood next to Justin Langer saying ‘hey mate, what a cool day, it’s overcast, it’s beautiful, what an awesome day, environment here at Lord’s – what do you think of the wicket’?”

The 104-cap star added: “Are you joking? Are you absolutely joking? I just hope they’re in their dressing room now, and the England coach is giving them the biggest hammering and saying it’s absolutely not good enough.”

On his Ashes debut, Josh Tongue stood out among England’s seamers, grabbing the vital wickets of Khawaja and Warner. “I spoke to Robbo (Robinson) just before lunch about trying to use the slope a bit more,” Tongue revealed.

“I was trying to wobble it away from the bat, and he said, ‘why don’t you try and get the ball coming back into him?’ Getting Khawaja just before lunch was crucial, and then, obviously, I was trying to do the same to David.”

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