Kevin Pietersen doesn't think Jake Ball deserves a spot in the England squad

Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen wants Joe Root to make a change in the squad for the 2nd Test match of the five-match series, beginning on 2nd December at the Adelaide Oval. Pietersen wants England to drop pacer Jake Ball after his ordinary performance in the 1st Test at the Gabba. England went on to lose the match by a massive 10 wickets.

Ball could only pick one wicket in the match and went for runs as the Aussie batters were in no trouble countering his predictable line and length. Hosts’ skipper Steve Snith scored a masterful hundred and remained unbeaten to give Australia an edge in the Test.

“I wouldn’t play Ball in the next Test match, absolutely not. Absolutely no chance. Is Jake Ball any good? I don’t think so. Not at this level. Not in Australia, from what I’ve just seen,” Sport24 quoted Pietersen, as saying.

The 37-year-old feels that England should play leg-spinner Mason Crane in the day-night Test and that he should replace injured spinner Moeen Ali. The all-rounder is battling with an injury to his spinning finger. “The first thing is after about 15 overs I ripped my spinning finger and it’s not been easy since then,” admitted Ali.

Pietersen bats for Mason Crane

“Mason Crane I’d play. I know it’s under lights but it gives that variation of a legspin bowler. One spinning away, one spinning in.Moeen Ali, we’ve got an issue with his finger. Do you want Joe Root bowling all the overs? No,” Pietersen told BT Sport.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan said that England should go unchanged into the second game as he hasn’t seen much of Craig Overton or Tom Curran. The visitors will be desperate to level the series with a good performance and set the tone for the remaining games.