Kevin Pietersen says England's team culture is 'unbelievable' ahead of Cricket World Cup
"The point of difference between the England of old and the England of now is that they know their captain and coach will back them if they fail"
Wednesday 29 May 2019 21:56, UK
Kevin Pietersen says England's team culture is "unbelievable" and has likened Eoin Morgan's side to the great Australia outfit he faced.
World Cup favourites England begin their bid for a maiden global 50-over title against South Africa on Thursday, live on Sky Sports Cricket at 9.30am.
And Pietersen, who played for England in the 2007 and 2011 World Cups, believes Morgan's men are the team to beat, pinpointing their batting depth and the freedom with which they are allowed to play.
Live ICC Cricket World Cup
"They are ranked No 1 in the world for a very good reason - because their brand of cricket has been incredibly positive," said Pietersen at Wednesday's World Cup Opening Party at The Mall in London.
"There is a lot of pressure on the players but it's an incredible opportunity to go out and do what they have been doing over the last few years.
"I am all England on this tournament. Their 1-7 is like that great Australia side we used to play against.
"If Justin Langer didn't get you, Matthew Hayden got you. If Langer and Hayden missed out, Ricky Ponting got you, Adam Gilchrist got you.
"It's the same with this England team. Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler. I love their brand of cricket.
"Roy and Buttler are on a different planet the way they play. They try and hit sixes off every ball. It is now so good to watch, there is no fear factor. It is 'how far can I hit this, how often can I do it?'
"The team culture and the way that Morgan is leading the team is nothing short of unbelievable.
"The point of difference between the England of old and the England of now is that they know their captain and coach will back them if they fail.
"If when you fail you still get backed, then you are going to play some unbelievable cricket because you are going to go out there as a free spirit."
You can watch every match of the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup on Sky Sports Cricket, starting with England vs South Africa at The Oval from 9.30am on Thursday.
