England coach Andy Flower is "very animated" about
Kevin Petersen’s performance in spite of the gifted batsman's latest failure next to left-arm spin.
England completed a excellent innings and 14-run win in the first Test in Cardiff after bundling out Sri Lanka for a mere 82 in the tourists' second innings in under two strange hours at Sophia Gardens on Monday.
It was also extraordinary to see Pietersen give just three runs in England's of 496 for five affirmed. He was the only batsman to score in single figure.
For Pietersen, who was lbw to Rangana Herath, it was the 19th juncture in Tests the South Africa-born batsman had fallen to a left-arm spinner.
"It is understandable he has had his issues," comment Flower. Despite KP scoring an Ashes double hundred in Adelaide six innings ago, he finds himself in a circumstances where knives seem to be out for him.
However, Flower, himself a quality batsman while on behalf of Zimbabwe - said he is certain Pietersen's willow will start talking again.
"I will be completely honest with you, I am very eager by what I see from KP at the moment," he said.
"I believe he's on the verge of being a very heavy scorer again. I love the way he's training and I know when he transfers that to the middle he's going to be a very heavy scorer," said Flower.
He added: "I envision him having a great summer for England."
With regard to Pietersen's trouble at playing the likes of Herath, Flower said: "He's had his noticeable battles playing left-arm spin but he is aware of them and is working hard at them."
He went on: "When he was out in Bangladesh, he scored a very, very fine Test century (Pietersen really made 99) against at least two left-arm spinners. He worked hard in the nets there on his method next to left-arm spin and he played them very contentedly."
"Since then, he has had a few ups and downs, but I don't envisage this problem continuing," Flower added in front of the second of the three-Test series against Sri Lanka starting at Lord's on Friday.
Reacting to suggestion that Petersen is saving the big one for the series against India, later in the English season, Flower said: "There is no time for keeping runs back. Lord's will do nicely!"
Meanwhile Flower was still coming to terms with England's surprising win in Cardiff where it seemed rain, which washed out play before lunch on Monday, the last day, would condemn the challenge to a draw.
"We consideration there was just a three or four percent possibility of us winning if we took a few near the beginning wickets with the new ball," Flower said after fast bowler Chris Tremlett led the attack with four wickets in the absence of the injured James Anderson.
"But it was absolutely the way to go, somewhat than let the game peter out to a boring draw," he insisted.
Gaji
