Wednesday 29 July 2015 09:59, UK
Kevin Pietersen thinks England should try to enjoy the challenge of facing top class Australian pace bowler Mitchell Johnson in this week’s third Investec Ashes Test at Edgbaston.
England failed to deal with Johnson during the last Ashes series in Australia, in which he took 37 wickets as the hosts won 5-0, but he only managed two dismissals in the first Test of this series in Cardiff, which England won comfortably.
However, Australia then romped to a 405-run win in the second Test at Lord’s and Johnson bowled impressively to take three wickets in each innings.
That prompted talk that Johnson may be set to dominate England once again but Pietersen thinks the route to success against him is to relish the task of tackling such a prolific wicket-taker.
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Pietersen said: “Johnson has exerted a psychological hold over England's batsman ever since he sorted out his own mental approach to cricket.
"He has learnt to deal with the pressures of the international game much better than when he struggled here in England in 2009. He is twice the bowler he was then.
"It is hard for teams to break that hold, especially when he is in form, but you have to embrace the challenge and ignore defeatist thoughts.
"When you retire from cricket you want to be able to say you scored runs against the best teams in the toughest situations.
"So, who cares if he is bowling well? England have to relish the challenge.
"That is the attitude the batters have to take into this Test. Not 'oh no, Johnson is on top of his game'. So what? You want to play against guys at the top of their game.
“Ultimately, you want to score runs against Australia when they have a bowling attack as good as the one they will put out this week.
"It is the time when you can put your head on the pillow as an international batsman and say 'Yes, I am good enough to be here'.
“You can hook Johnson but I just tried to leave as many balls as possible. You know he is only going to bowl in three or four-over spells so, if he bowls a short ball, get out of the way.”
Ian Bell will bat at No 3 for England this week and is under pressure after a run of poor form.
But Pietersen thinks that is unfair and hopes the selectors do not rush to discard Bell.
“Ian Bell is a wonderful player and is now in his rightful position at three,” Pietersen wrote.
“He is struggling at the moment but every batsman has those periods. He needs support right now and positive people around him.”
