Australians still vulnerable, under pressure: Pietersen

SYDNEY - England’s star batsman Kevin Pietersen Thursday said that despite Australia’s series equalling win in the third Ashes Test in Perth, the hosts remain “vulnerable” and under “extreme pressure”.

Pietersen said the way the baggy greens broke into celebrations and made statements after the win indicates they are still feeling the heat.

“When you’re under extreme amounts of pressure, you talk a lot more,” Pietersen was quoted as saying the Daily Telegraph.

“And the good thing about our team is, we’re on a plateau. We do what we do.

“We made a hiccup last week. Yes, we were constructive in the criticism that we chucked around the team meeting about preparation and whatever.

“But we haven’t come out and made any bold, huge statements about this and about that.

“We understand that they are very vulnerable - there are a lot of areas in their team that are very vulnerable.

“And we just need to do what we do and wipe the slate clean and forget Perth.

“Think about (the second Test in) Adelaide, think about how well we did there, and how well we did in (the drawn first Test in) Brisbane. We’re absolutely fine.”

England haven’t won an Ashes series Down Under since 1986-87 and Pietersen says they are looking to create history this summer.

“I just think we’ve got a wonderful opportunity to do something that hasn’t been done for 25 years,” he said. “That’s driving us all on to do something amazing.”