AUS vs ENG: 'Shut Up Kevin Pietersen': Steve Harmison Goes Ballistic On Former English Teammate

Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen recently raised a number of eyebrows with his sensational outburst against Ben Stokes & Co. for their performance and attitude on day one of the ongoing second Ashes Test at the Lord’s.

With England failing to capitalize on the bowler-friendly conditions and not being aggressive enough on the opening day, Kevin Pietersen came down heavily on them. Speaking on Sky Sports after the second session when Australia were on 180 for 2, Pietersen launched a scathing rant at England. He not only slammed their bowling but also their friendly attitude with the Australians.

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“England have been shambolic. Absolutely shambolic,” he told Sky Sports. “You have overhead conditions, you have a wicket that suits your bowlers and you’ve got bowlers running in at 78, 79, 80mph.”

Criticizing the players’ attitude, he had said: “The Australians were outside to bat before England’s bowlers. England’s bowlers should’ve been on those stairs this morning saying ‘we want to bowl at Australia, we’re desperate to bowl at them’. These two batters are waiting for England and that shouldn’t be the case.”

“Are you joking? Are you absolutely JOKING?” ?

Kevin Pietersen is NOT happy with England today and says it has been ‘shambolic’ ? pic.twitter.com/eTJ50UBTnm

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 28, 2023

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Steve Harmison slams Kevin Pietersen:

Kevin Pietersen’s ran against England has drawn a range of reactions from the cricketing world and he has now been slammed by his former teammate Steve Harmison. The Ashes-winning former pacer criticised Pietersen and stated that his views over the relationship between players would not be well received in the England dressing room.

“I don’t think it was justified,” Harmison told talkSPORT.

“I think this team has had one or two bad days in 12-13 months. I think some of the stuff that they were having a go at them (for), too matey, I think there’s a time and a place,” he added.

At the same time, Harmison also admitted that Pietersen is not in a position to give a balanced view, pointing out that his former teammate is getting paid for his views while working for the mainstream media. He also pointed out that Pietersen has never shied away from expressing his opinions. He further stated that Pietersen’s criticism would have made sense if it was done on the final day of the Test match and England had lost the game.

“But they’re in the mainstream media, they’re paid to give their opinion, and I’m not going to knock Kevin for having his opinion – he’s always had it,” Harmison said.

“He was always forceful with it, it wasn’t always warranted, it wasn’t always best received! I’m sure it wasn’t best received in the England dressing room (ahead of day two), it certainly wasn’t best received by the England dressing room when we were in it!

“But a few of us could say to Kevin, in no uncertain terms, to shut up. But he’s getting paid to give his opinion.

“I think at times there was a lot of frustration (on day one), but you’ve got to look at it in a five-day way. If he said that on day five when England have just got beaten, I’d probably agree with him,” Harmison concluded.

Meanwhile, England have responded strongly with the bat in the first innings. After Australia ended their first innings on 416 thanks to a sublime ton from Steve Smith, England were on 278 for 4 at stumps on day 2. The hosts are currently trailing in the series after losing the first Test by 2 wickets.

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