Bring Ben Foakes in as wicketkeeper and drop Ben Duckett for Lord's Ashes Test: Kevin Pietersen

Kevin Pietersen has proposed a lineup change for England's second Ashes Test against Australia. Given Jonny Bairstow's poor performance in the previous Test at Edgbaston, Pietersen believes Ben Foakes should be brought in as the specialist wicketkeeper. Bairstow, who returned to the side after a long break, was criticized for his performance behind the wicket.

Bairstow's wicketkeeping was below par in the first Test, with England dropping six catches and Bairstow himself missing a stumping opportunity. Pietersen recommends Foakes as a specialist wicketkeeper, replacing Ben Duckett in the team.

Duckett struggled throughout the game, scoring only 12 and 19 runs in two innings. Pietersen believes Bairstow should be included in the team but only as a pure top-order batsman. However, Pietersen admits that he is not anticipating major changes in the playing 11 because captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum have strong backing for their players.

"I don't think England will alter; that's not what McCullum and Stokes do, but if they're going to play on flat pitches, I'd bring in Foakes. I'd get him in as soon as possible," said Pietersen in his BetWay blog.

Pietersen admires Stokes and McCullum's leadership style, which prioritizes player support over external viewpoints. He appreciates the fact that the team is not paying attention to public criticism. Although Pietersen suggested bringing in Foakes, he realized that the team's approach for the upcoming Test is unlikely to change.

 Just move everyone up one spot and play Foakes as the keeper: Pietersen

"However, I don't believe anything is gonna be changed. They back their players, and I actually like the fact that they back the players so much and don't care what we in the media say," Pietersen added.

Foakes, in Pietersen's opinion, should be brought to the team, particularly for the matches played on flat surfaces. He advises either opening the batting with Bairstow or moving everyone up one spot in the batting order and using Foakes as the wicketkeeper.

"Of course, Bairstow must bat, but I'd drop Duckett and put Bairstow at the top of the order, or just move everyone up one spot and play Foakes as the keeper. That's what I'd do," concluded the former English cricketer.