It was a different England at Headingley, no silly pre-game BS chat: Kevin Pietersen

After England's dismal performance at Lord’s on Day 1 of the second Test, former England international Kevin Pietersen was absolutely furious seeing the body language of the current crop. He pointed out that the Ben Stokes-led side is being too friendly and chitchatting with the opposition while they should go all guns blazing like old times. He called England’s performance ‘shambolic’ and also cited examples of Ricky Ponting, Michael Vaughan,  Justin Langer and explained the kind of body language players need to have while playing the Ashes.

Meanwhile, England eventually went on to lose the second Test, and Pietersen was not happy about it. However, the drama regarding Jonny Bairstow and Alex Carey on Day 5 motivated the English players to bounce back, and Stokes and Co. did so in style at Headingley. The skipper himself along with Harry Brook was phenomenal in the first and second innings respectively while Mark Wood absolutely ruptured Australia with the ball.

Seeing that, Pietersen was highly impressed and stated he wanted more of that in the fourth Test in Manchester, which is slated to begin on July 19. He also wanted English players to stop the pre game chitchat with the Aussie cricketers and for the team to stay ruthless, smart and clinical in the remainder of the five-match series.

“It was a different England at Headingley. No silly pre game BS chat! They were smart, clinical & ruthless! I loved England’s performance. Go find Wood’s interview from pre-game, I tweeted about it. A different England & the right England! BRILLIANT! Same this week, please. No rubbish chat, keep all in your dressing room and be clinical in Manchester,” Pietersen tweeted.

It was a different England at Headingley. No silly pre game BS chat! They were smart, clinical & ruthless!
I loved England’s performance.
Go find Wood’s interview from pre-game, I tweeted about it. A different England & the right England!
BRILLIANT!
Same this week please. No… pic.twitter.com/c9fdX5jXOG

— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) July 10, 2023

Now, with 2-1 down in the series, England cannot afford to have a bad day in the remaining matches as they are eager to win back the urn after eight years. In the last edition of the marquee competition, the Three Lions suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat and thus, is determined to make a strong comeback this time around.