Kevin Pietersen May Not be Opening in Warm up Match Alone in ICC Cricket World Cup 2011

If it was a surprise that Kevin Pietersen was opening the batting for England in their warm up match, that may become a regular feature in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 as KP hints himself.

kevin pietersen warm up

The dynamic batsman in the England cricket team has not only shown a relish for the opening role but also, believes it could be an exciting proposition for him and the team in the forthcoming event.

England caught everyone by surprise when Kevin Pietersen was promoted up the order to the opening position in England's ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 warm up match against Canada who fought valiantly back from twenty-eighty for five before Rizwan Cheema got them back into the match with a brave ninety-three although Canada still lost the match.

However, the biggest story out of the match was not only about England surviving the test from unexpected Canada but also, of Kevin Pietersen plausibly opening the innings regularly in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. And apparently it was not just a sudden decision on the part of the England team but something they had been contemplating during the England Australia ODI series.

The reason behind the move is no secret though. It is widely assumed, particularly since the ICC Cricket World Cup 1996 when Sri Lanka took the first fifteen overs by storm, that a strong opening partnership was critical to setting up the thunderous start to the innings.

Kevin Pietersen, considered innovative with his batting and an aggressive batsman, has perhaps been marked to provide that impetus as England look to convert this good run into a real trophy opportunity. Kudos for experimentation, but can England really pull it off without really trialling it in international cricket?