MELBOURNE, (Reuters) – Kevin Pietersen felt like a “clown” after getting out in the first innings of the second test but maintained yesterday he has been in prime form during England’s heavy defeats in the opening three Ashes matches.
The flamboyant right-handed batsman has averaged 27.50 in the three games, way below his career test average of 47-plus, and been criticised for the manner of his dismissals.
Pietersen, though, scotched the idea that he was thinking of following spinner Graeme Swann into early retirement.
“I’m 33 years of age,” he told reporters ahead of the fourth test against Australia that starts tomorrow. “I’m batting as well as I’ve ever batted.
“I’ll retire when I can’t get up to play for England but I’m as good as gold at the moment. I felt like a clown in Adelaide when I hit that ball to mid-wicket off Peter Siddle.
