Australian spin legend Shane Warne believes England have major concerns ahead of the Ashes and that a Kevin Pietersen return could help their cause.
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In the last Ashes held Down Under in 2013, Australia whitewashed England on home turf and Warne believes that England don’t have the attack power or form to cause serious problems.
“I’m sure Australia fancy their chances against England right now- just look at the difference in their teams,” Warne said while representing Europe at the Icons Cup in Dubai.
“In Australia’s bowling attack, they have four or five seamers to only get in a couple of spots and their batsmen are finding some form. They have so many match winners in their ranks.
“Then look at the England attack. Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad had poor World Cups. They averaged around 100 and couldn’t get early wickets. It was great to see Jimmy Anderson fight back and bowl well because he is such an excellent swing bowler but he needs some help.
“You’ve got to take 20 wickets to win so England have a few concerns to take all of those. If they are going to compete with Australia, the rest of the bowlers need to find some form. Australia would much rather play England now than a few years ago.”
Six months before the whitewash in Australia, England had won the Ashes on home soil, with the form of Kevin Pietersen vital in that triumph. The controversial batsman scored the most fifties in the series on England’s way to a 3-0 victory.
REMINDER: 1) Kevin Pietersen is England’s highest ever run-scorer. 2) He hit 170 in his last innings.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 15, 2015
Warne feels a Pietersen comeback would make England a more dangerous outfit.
“If you look at an England side and work out if it Kevin Pietersen would make this team stronger or not, I’d say yes.
“It’s up to him go and make some runs. If he peels off three or four 100s, I’m sure he will be in the side but if he doesn’t, then they probably won’t pick him.
“I think it is a credit for him for giving it a go. He wants to play for England again so let’s hope he goes out and makes some centuries because that will make some interesting viewing leading up to the Test matches.”
