Gilchrist rates bowlers while KP calls for bravery by bats Attack close to top
LEGEND Adam Gilchrist says England are being skewered by an all- time great Australian attack as Kevin Pietersen urges petrified England to bat “brave” or face an Ashes abyss.
Australia’s pace posse of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, backed by brilliant off- spinner Nathan Lyon, has proven the difference across a 2- 0 series scoreline with 39 scalps.
Gilchrist redefined the role of keeper- batsman in a golden era when Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie, Brett Lee and Shane Warne ruled Test cricket. But Gilchrist says Steve Smith’s burgeoning 2017 attack is something special.
“This Australia bowling line- up, in time, could be reflected on as being one of the greatest bowling line- ups the country has ever produced,” said Gilchrist.
“From an England point of view, it has to be acknowledged that they are playing a high class line- up and that’s challenging.”
Starc has 14 wickets and Lyon 11 this series, with England’s James Anderson sandwiched on eight by Hazlewood with seven.
The WACA – hosting its last Ashes Test starting Thursday before the move to a $ 1 billion Burswood Stadium – is a shadow of its once frightening self.
However, Joe Root’s men still face a barrage from an attack on the scent of blood and a win that reclaims the Ashes.
“They’re still going to be terrorised by 145km/ h short stuff and good quality swing bowling,” said Gilchrist with Root the leading England scorer with a modest 142 runs at 35.
Pietersen and wants Cummins England to emulate his aggressive approach against Australia that delivered a career average of 45 in away Ashes Tests – including two tons – and stop being gripped by fear.
“Even if I didn’t feel good on occasions, I made it look like I felt good because that’s the way you need to do what you need to do in Australia,” Pietersen told BT Sport.
“You need to get on top of them and you need to show them that you’re not scared and you’re not worried and there’s no one in that England side at the moment that doesn’t look scared.
“It takes guts, it takes de- termination, it takes bravery and it takes a backing of your skill.”
Alastair Cook is one English batsman comfortable against short- pitched bowling but Pietersen says his former teammate’s playing like “time is up”. Cook is averaging 15 this series.
“I had spotted it before the series and there’s certainly no signs at the moment to prove there’s any fire in Cook’s belly,” said Pietersen.
He also blasted England after the latest booze blow- up involving Anderson and fringe batsman Ben Duckett in Perth.