Flower defends Pietersen by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:	A Flower, KP Pietersen
Event:	Australia in British Isles 2009

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DateLine: 15th July 2009

 

England coach Andy Flower has said that he does not have to tell Kevin Pietersen he made mistakes in the first Ashes Test.

 

The swashbuckling batsman has come in for criticism following the manner in which he was seen to throw his wicket away to the Australians. with an ill-judged sweep shot, before then making only eight in the second innings.

 

Former England great Geoff Boycott accused the one-time captain of the national team of behaving like a "spoilt child" and feels more "stupid mistakes" are ahead if he is not taken to task by Flower and skipper Andrew Strauss.

 

Pietersen, though, insists he will not "get disillusioned" following some negative feedback.

 

"The bottom line is you have to make good decisions as batters and, at the end of your career, at the end of your season, at the end of your series, the sum of your results will be from the decisions you make," observed the England coach.

 

"I don't think you can just isolate him, even though I know he is the most high profile.

 

"Like any other batsman, he will review the decisions he has made and will regret that.

 

"He got out. He is playing for England, is very proud to play for England and is trying to win games for us.

 

"He will review that like any sensible man would."