Cricket: Kevin Pietersen feels umpires should not penalise attacking batsmen

KEVIN Pietersen had no complaints about the warning he received during his stunning 151 in the second Test against Sri Lanka, but has warned that umpires must be careful not to penalise attacking batsmen.

Pietersen’s 20th Test hundred, a master class of aggression and timing which contained six sixes and 16 fours, was also notable for the fact that Asad Rauf formally cautioned him for changing his position at the crease before the bowler’s delivery stride.

Pietersen produced a variety of strokes to combat a defensive leg-side field – including, but not limited to, his old favourite switch-hit.

Tillakaratne Dilshan was unhappy with how early Pietersen was shifting his position and grip and twice aborted his run-up, leading to Rauf’s intervention.

Had Pietersen transgressed again, England faced a five-run penalty. The batsman admitted he did not have a clear grasp on the relevant laws, but suggested the inherent risk involved in playing that way should be enough to satisfy the bowler.

“There’s no drama, no issue, I just got my timing wrong,” he said, after batting England into a 181-run lead at the close of play on day three. “He [Rauf] said it was a warning because I moved my hands too quickly and I was okay – it was cool.

“But like I said when I first played the shot: I don’t think the batter should get penalised because I’m the one taking the biggest risk. If I saw a batter do that I’d be licking my lips.

“I don’t understand the rules, it’s just something I found out mid-innings today at a pretty unfortunate time.”