Coach Moores hands captain Pietersen a license to thrill
England coach Peter Moores is encouraging Kevin Pietersen to be his own man in leading England after his first practice session as England captain was washed out by rain.
Pietersen will skipper the Test side for the first time at The Oval tomorrow in the fourth and final Test against South Africa, following the shock resignation of Michael Vaughan at the weekend.
The new captain was due to lead his first training session on The Oval pitch yesterday but was forced to conduct a team bonding session from inside as persistent rain won the day.
But as Pietersen prepares to begin a new era for English cricket tomorrow, coach Moores has given him his full backing to lead in his own diminutive way. “He’ll be different to Michael because he’s a different man,” Moores said. “Kevin will bring Kevin Pietersen, which is crucial. He’ll be his own man and that’s going to be really important.
“Kevin’s got his way of playing and we encourage him to play that way. We’ll have different views, as a coach and captain should, but we want to play aggressive and positive cricket. “What’s really promising is that the senior arm of the team is going to get behind him.”
Moores has also backed Vaughan to make a comeback as an England batsman once he returns from his international break. “He’s still a fine cricketer,” Moores added. “It’s key now he has a break, has a chance to recharge the batteries and fight to get back in the team.”
Meanwhile, South Africa coach Mickey Arthur says facing England at The Oval tomorrow will be like facing “a wounded lion” under Pietersen’s captaincy. “We are expecting a huge backlash from England,” Arthur said.
“They have new leadership, a new direction, they are all going to want to impress KP, so we are expecting a really tough challenge.”