England’s Kevin Pietersen isn’t a cricket great, claims Phil Tufnell

Phil Tufnell believes England batsman Kevin Pietersen won’t be remembered as a “great player” due to his erratic shot selection.

The 34-year-old managed to reach a half century twice during England’s disastrous 5-0 Ashes whitewash in Australia this winter.

Great players wouldn’t have played the shots he has throughout this series to get out

Kevin Pietersen

Pietersen, whose best knock in the series was a modest 71, has already expressed his desire to continue his Test career beyond the next edition of the Ashes.

Whilst Tufnell accepts that Pietersen has produced “great innings” in his England career, the former spinner doesn’t rate the batsman as a true legend of the sport.

“He’s a good player who’s played great innings, but great players wouldn’t have played
the shots he has throughout this series to get out,” Tufnell told BBC Radio Five Live.

The ex-England bowler added: “At Perth [where Pietersen scored 45 in England’s second innings], he hits one ball over long off for six and then the next ball, he hits it straight down the fielder’s neck,” he said.

“He comes in at Adelaide [where he scored four in the first innings] and you’re saying, ‘come on Kev, get us out of this hole’, but he comes down the wicket and flicks Peter Siddle to one of the two men on the drive at mid-on.

“Why is he doing that? Great players wouldn’t have played those shots.”