Zip it. That’s the message from Steve Harmison after he labelled a television tirade from Kevin Pietersen ‘premature and unnecessary’.
Pietersen unleashed on England after day one of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s after sending Australia into bat.
The visitors ended the day 5-339 in favourable bowling conditions.
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Pietersen took umbrage with England’s lethargic approach, notably the time it took for the players to get onto the field and the pace at which they bowled.
“Not a lot has caught my eye from an England perspective, it’s been shambolic, absolutely shambolic,” the former skipper said.
“You have overhead conditions, a wicket that suits your bowlers and you’ve got bowlers running in at 125 km/h.
“It’s one thing walking here, swanning around, and saying, ‘Hey this is a wonderful team to play in, we’re creating the best environment’, but this is not Ashes cricket.”
Pietersen’s thunderous criticism carried on for just shy of 90 seconds, during which he also lashed England for being too nice to the Australian players.
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However, former teammate Harmison said the player-turned-pundit was out of line for his comments.
Harmison also took aim at another ex-captain, Michael Vaughan, who said England bowled “utter dross” on day one and were lazy.
“I don’t think it was justified,” Harmison told talkSPORT.
“I think this team has had one or two bad days in 12-13 months. I think some of the stuff that they were having a go at them (for), too matey, I think there’s a time and a place.
“But they’re in the mainstream media, they’re paid to give their opinion, and I’m not going to knock Kevin for having his opinion – he’s always had it.
“He was always forceful with it, it wasn’t always warranted, it wasn’t always best received!
“I’m sure it wasn’t best received in the England dressing room, it certainly wasn’t best received by the England dressing room when we were in it!
“But a few of us could say to Kevin, in no uncertain terms, to shut up.
“But he’s getting paid to give his opinion.”
In the context of day two, Pietersen’s comments might be considered harsh to a degree.
England eventually bowled Australia out for 416 just before lunch before the home side went to stumps on 4-278, just 138 runs shy of Australia’s first innings total.
Harmison said assessments as terse as Pietersen’s should be saved for later when the full picture of the Test has played out.
“I think at times there was a lot of frustration, but you’ve got to look at it in a five-day way,” he said.
“If he said that on day five when England have just got beaten, I’d probably agree with him. But if you say that on day one, when there’s a lot of cricket to be played, the sun’s gotta come out, and you’ve still got three innings to go – I’ll agree with him if England lose this Test match, because it was a poor day yesterday. Shambolic? I’m not so sure.”
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