Ashes: KP says not prepared to take on Ponting in verbal joust

PERTH - England star batsman Kevin Pietersen has said that he is not interested in taking Australian captain Ricky Ponting in a verbal joust ahead of the Ashes.

“This is my fourth series against Australia. Every single time I have played against Australia, for the months leading up to it, a lot of things are said which have absolutely no bearing after the first ball is bowled,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted KP, as saying.

“I am not prepared to get involved. I’m not prepared to add any fuel to any fire that they might have started.I just want to go out and play some really tough, hard cricket and challenge myself against the Australians in Australia,” he added. (ANI)