Kevin Pietersen questions the form and body language of Alastair Cook

The English team did not have the kind of start to the Ashes series they would have wanted. Australia won the first Test by 10 wickets on the back of a solid opening stand of 173 runs in the 4th innings, to gain a 1-0 lead in the series. Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen feels that the visitors have a lot assess for the rest of the series. He pointed out to the fact that the major worry is the form of their most experienced batsman Alastair Cook.

Cook didn’t have great outings as he was dismissed cheaply in both the innings of the Test match. Pietersen mentioned that the former skipper’s dismissal in the first innings is an area of concern as is his form. He also questioned the opener’s body language at this stage of his long career.

Question on form and body language

The former English cricketer raised questions on the way Cook was dismissed in the first innings at the Gabba. He got out after scoring just two runs to Aussie speedster Mitchell Starc in the third over of the Test match. KP feels that the shot which led to the left-hander’s downfall is actually one of his favourite shots.

“The first concern would be Alastair Cook and his form, that is certainly a cause of concern. The dismissals of Cook would cause flutters in that dressing room. The manner in which he got out in the first innings is a huge cause for concern. It’s a technique he fights with on a daily basis. Then Alastair’s strong shot has been the pull, he’s a magnificent player of the pull shot and scored so many runs with it,” said Pietersen in a conversation with BT Sport.

Pietersen also pointed out at Cook’s dropped body language, which is reflected in the way he walked back and even when he is out for the training session and overall appearance after he was back in the dressing room.

“To get out that way [in the second innings]…for me it’s the bigger picture. The way he walks off the field, the way he walks to training, I don’t see a bounce in his step. I just don’t see it,” he added.

“‘When he walked off the field after his dismissal he was very relaxed about it, it wasn’t an assertive, caring, “why did I get out” scenario. That’s probably the biggest concern, it’s that care, he’s played almost 150 Test matches and it’s quite difficult to get up every single day for Test cricket,” KP concluded.