Pietersen tells England to drop Broad and Jennings

Keaton Jennings "can't bat" and Stuart Broad should also miss England's tour of Sri Lanka, according to former batsman Kevin Pietersen.

Published : Sep 14, 2018 09:43 IST

Stuart Broad and Kevin Pietersen playing for England in 2013
Stuart Broad and Kevin Pietersen playing for England in 2013
lightbox-info

Stuart Broad and Kevin Pietersen playing for England in 2013

Kevin Pietersen has called for Stuart Broad to be dropped for England's tour of Sri Lanka, while blasting under-pressure opener Keaton Jennings.

Broad took 16 wickets during England's 4-1 Test series win against India but they came at an average higher than his fellow pacemen.

Jennings, meanwhile, had a torrid time and scored just 163 runs in the series at an average of 18, though Alastair Cook's retirement could give the 26-year-old a stay of execution.

England is preparing to name its squad to face Sri Lanka, with a three-Test series starting on November 6, and Pietersen feels Broad and Jennings should not make the cut.

"Jennings can't bat, I'm sorry," Pietersen, who backs the expected selection of Surrey skipper Rory Burns and suggested Jason Roy as his opening partner, told talkSPORT .

READ: Jennings: 'England squandered a good position'

"They are going to have to find somebody else. Cook is a big loss. I know he has been wishy-washy over the last couple of months but he finished on a fairytale ending, which is brilliant for him but to replace that kind of guy at the top of the order, it is going to be difficult.

"I just don't see county cricket producing Test cricketers at the moment. The issue is deep-rooted. All the best players in the world now are not playing county cricket. They are earning their cash in franchise cricket.

"Therefore, the standard of county cricket isn't great, the standard of county batsmen is poor, and it is causing a massive issue in cabs on the rank for batting places."

Broad and James Anderson are the most prolific pairing in England's history, but there has been speculation one or even both of the bowlers could be rested for the Sri Lanka tour.

And after Anderson surpassed Australia great Glenn McGrath to become the most successful pace bowler in terms of wickets in Test history, Pietersen said Broad should sit the series out.

"I would have dropped him last winter. He doesn't perform that well away from home," Pietersen added of Broad. 

"He had one good Ashes series and what he delivered for England in the big Ashes series last year was hopeless.

"I've been on tours of the sub-continent [with England], he doesn't like touring the sub-continent, so it wouldn't surprise me and it would be a very good move if they dropped him."

Pietersen confirmed his retirement from the sport in March, the 38-year-old having scored 8,181 runs in 104 Tests. He was named Player of the Series after leading England to the World Twenty20 title in 2010.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment