'It’s not good enough' - Kevin Pietersen lambasts English pacers following lacklustre opening day at Lord's

Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen launched a scathing attack on the English cricketers following a meek show on the opening day of the Lord's Test. The former skipper was disgusted by the body language of the home side while Australia blunted the seamers in bowling-friendly conditions.

An expectant crowd at the iconic Lord's were hoping for a strong showing from the English pacers on a greenish surface with overcast conditions also assisting the seamers. However, an underwhelming first session from the pacers saw Australia negate the new ball to great effect. 

Barring an energetic Josh Tongue, none of the English pacers managed to trouble the Aussie batters, especially Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne in the second session. Kevin Pietersen expressed his discontentment over the lack of effort from the English bowlers also pointing out England's premature declaration in the Ashes opener.

“Not a lot has caught my eye from an English perspective. It’s been shambolic. Absolutely Shambolic. You have overhead conditions, you have a wicket that suits your bowlers, you have bowlers running in at 78, 79 mile an hour. I hope they’re in that dressing room now, and the England coaches are giving them the biggest hammering in saying it’s not good enough. 

It’s absolutely not good enough. You cannot bowl that here today, you cannot have these conditions, and you cannot declare for 390 … you think Australia are declaring today? You think Australia are getting 390 and saying England go have a bat," Pietersen said on Sky Sports during the Tea break.

"Are you joking? Are you absolutely JOKING?" 😤

Kevin Pietersen is NOT happy with England today and says it has been 'shambolic' 😳 pic.twitter.com/eTJ50UBTnm

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 28, 2023

The English bowlers should have been on those stairs saying we want to bowl at Australia: Pietersen

The former cricketer highlighted the attitude of the players, stating that the Aussie batters were on the field before the English bowlers, which shouldn't have been the case. Pietersen felt that the home side were too passive in the contest, making it easy for Pat Cummins' visiting team.

“I’ve played Ashes cricket, I’ve played nearly 30 Test matches against Australia. The Australians were outside to bat before the English bowlers. The English bowlers this morning should have been on those stairs saying we want to bowl at Australia. We’re desperate to bowl at Australia," he added.