England recover after KP gifts wicket away

Kevin Pietersen infuriatingly gave his wicket away on the verge of another milestone

England recover after KP gifts wicket away

Kevin Pietersen miscues one to be dismissed on 97 on Day One of England's first Test against West Indies in Jamaica yesterday.

At close England were 236 for 5 with Andrew Flintoff on 43 and Matt Prior on 27. Pietersen made 97.

No England batsman looked to have mastered the steady, if not menacing West Indies attack which featured a marathon 33-over spell from Sulieman Benn.

But Pietersen showed his class in three and a half hours at the crease and looked set for another Test hundred, after clattering two fours and a six off successive balls from Benn.
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Pietersen told Sky Sports at the close: "The wicket was tough, some balls spun, some didn't and I think we are in a good position on 236-5," adding he was just loving getting out there and playing. "I came out here to play cricket, and now I'm playing cricket again, I'm happy.'

The former England captain appeared to have the beanpole left-arm spin bowler at his mercy, when he tried to clear the wide long-on boundary with another slog/sweep, top-edged, and was caught by the keeper.

His dismissal brought West Indies back into the match, after Pietersen had added 86 for the fifth wicket with Flintoff to rescue England from a shaky 94 for four.

But Flintoff put his head down and found Prior a steady ally, and they batted through the 1-1/2 hours to add 56 and save England from desperation.

It had looked desperate for England, as they stumbled to 73 for three at lunch after they chose to bat on a hard, easy-paced pitch. The visitors lost their captain Andrew Strauss for seven, their vice-captain Alastair Cook for four, and Ian Bell for 28.

Scoreboard, Day One
England (1st innings)
Andrew Strauss c Ramdin b Taylor 7, Alastair Cook c Sarwan b Powell 4, Ian Bell c Smith b Gayle 28, Kevin Pietersen c Ramdin b Benn 97, Paul Collingwood lbw b Benn 16, Andrew Flintoff batting 43, Matt Prior batting 27;
Extras: (b5, lb2, nb7) 14
Total: 88 overs 236 for 5
Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-31, 3-71, 4-96, 5-180
Bowling: Taylor 13-2-56-1 (nb2); Edwards 10-1-43-0 (nb3); Powell 14-5-31-1 (nb1); Benn 33-10-64-2; Gayle 18-5-35-1

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