Pietersen is destined to be England’s first great cricketer since Botham: Roebuck

SYDNEY - England batsman Kevin Pietersen’s true destiny is to become his adopted country’s first great cricketer since Ian Botham, according to noted cricket commentator Peter Roebuck.

Pietersen struck a double century as England built a massive 375-run first innings lead over Australia in the ongoing second Ashes Test in Adelaide.

The 30-year-old scored 227 off 308 balls in which he collected a six and 33 fours.

It was only the seventh double century by an England batsman in Australia, and his first century since England’s tour of West Indies 18 months ago.

“Kevin Pietersen has taken a vital step on the journey to greatness. He has turned the pursuit into a quest. Previously he had mistaken the ability to play great innings as the end of the road,” Roebuck wrote in his syndicated column for the Sydney Morning Herald.

“Adelaide Oval belonged to him. He had worked hard and now came the reward. Nor did he indulge in tricks, trying to reach 100 or 200 with sixes, nothing of that sort. Instead his shot selection was sound.”

“Pietersen’s true destiny is to become his adopted country’s first great cricketer since Ian Botham. That means England needs to stay strong. It’s devilishly difficult to sustain greatness in a weak team. Pietersen has his part to play in that. He is 30 and his best years lie ahead,” he added. (ANI)