English Ashes hero Kevin Pietersen is braced for a rollicking reception from Australian crowds when he strides out for the World XI in the Super Series commencing on Wednesday.
In contrast to the adoration bestowed on teammate Andrew ”Freddie” Flintoff, the skunk-haired South African-born batsman said a young Aussie fan gave him a taste of what to expect when he shaped up for a catch in a warm-up match against Victoria on Sunday.
After dropping six catches in the recent Ashes series, Pietersen said the crowd was ”going nuts” as he successfully took a catch from local hero Michael Klinger.
”There was going to be some flak, I guess, and they are a lot cruder in this country, they just swear at you,” Pietersen told reporters this week ahead of the Super Season opener.
”There was a 12-year-old kid effing and blinding at me on the boundary. I just turned round and said, ‘What?’ and this kid just swore at me again.”
Pietersen (25) who flayed the Australian attack to help England claim its first Ashes series in 16 years, said his hosts had kept the sledging to the sporting field.
”The Aussies have given me credit and been responsive to me,” he said. ”I haven’t had a bad word said to me in the street or at dinner.”
Pietersen spoke of his awe at sharing the World XI dressing room with the likes of West Indian legend Brian Lara and said he would not allow celebrity status arising from the Ashes series to affect his cricket.
”If I open the curtains and see the sun shining, I am just the happiest bloke because I can go out and express myself on the cricket field,” Pietersen said.
”Cricket is my hobby, my passion. I love performing. I love the hard work and the sweat. This is no monkey tournament out here and I am in the best mental and physical condition.” – AFP
