Ashes: Pietersen ready to face Doherty test

BRISBANE - Key England batsman Kevin Pietersen has revealed that he is ready to face the challenge likely to be posed by Australian and Tasmanian left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty in the 2010 Ashes series starting at the Gabba here from November 25.

“I don’t have technical glitches, I’ve sorted them. I’m always looking to score against every bowler, but any bowler can get any batter out it’s just a fact,” Pietersen told BBC Sport.

Doherty, who will turn 28 ahead of the start of the first Test, has only taken three five-wicket hauls in first-class cricket and has a bowling average of 48.

In the past Pietersen is known to have had a weakness against left-arm tweakers, but just days before the first Ashes Test, he has dismissed any suggestion of having such a weakness.

“I’m sure right-arm seamers have got me out most of my career. It’s something people have talked about but it’s not something that bothers me. Everyone can talk about what they want, we’re going to concentrate on what we do,” Pietersen said.

“I have seen Xavier Doherty bowl a couple of overs against Sri Lanka in the one-dayers. He looks a good bowler but will be interesting to see if they play a spinner or the four quicks. But that’s for everyone else to talk about. We’re concentrating on what we do, how we’ll do it well and all the processes that this team has been doing well over last few months. That’s our sole focus not the individuals,” he added. (ANI)