“I think it is hit and miss big time,” Pietersen said, ahead of Tuesday's crucial World Cup Super Eight tie against New Zealand. “Any bloke can knock the stuffing out of any team -- like Brendan Taylor did to Australia, and like Mohammad Ashraful did to the West Indies. In 50-over games, there is a structure in place, you can bounce back. But here, it is a lottery. It is a fascinating game alright, but I am not too sure it is a game you can prepare yourself a 100 percent for. Anything can happen.”
England have made a pretty ordinary start to the tournament, but Pietersen said that was history. “If we win the next four games, we win the tournament. Tomorrow is a huge game,” he said, stating the obvious, “and we are targeting tomorrow to play our best cricket. It has been a pretty tough start for us, playing numbers one and two in the world in the space of a few days. Hopefully, we will hit our straps tomorrow.
“We all need to turn up and function at 110 percent. We can't change what has already happened, but we can try and change what happens tomorrow. Hopefully, a few guys have learnt from their mistakes. If we win tomorrow, we are still in the tournament. If we lose, then we are off.”
Unlike three years back when he was greeted by boos, Pietersen has been welcomed with open arms by people on return to the country of his birth. “People have been fantastic. It was a bit of a baptism last time, they nailed me from all quarters. Now I have had three years of international cricket, and I think people respect me for what I have done. They have been supportive of me on and off the field.”
Pietersen was born in Pietermaritzburg, not far from Durban, and moved here when he was 13. “Mum and dad are here, so is my uncle and some of my closest and best friends whom I left behind when I went to England. I plan to spend a lot of time with my family, and with my friends. My brother is here, he has three kids of whom I have only seen two. I miss them all big time, I just love being back here."
England had an injury scare with wicket-keeper Matt Prior being taken for an x-ray on his left thumb. “He could just be fine, our medical team is fantastic. If he is not, then we need to address the situation,” Pietersen said.