‘Cook more talented batsman than Kevin Pietersen’

MELBOURNE - England pacer James Anderson has said that opener Alastair Cook is a more talented batsman than Kevin Pietersen.

Cook made 189 and steered England to a first-innings lead. Australia was happy bthat two of England’s dangerous batsmen, Pietersen and Jonathan Trott, have already been removed, but nightwatchman Anderson unbeaten on one run said he was determined to frustrate and tire his rivals.

“He’s been fantastic, considering people were questioning his spot during the summer. I think he’s shown exactly what a player he is,” Anderson said of Cook, who has made more than 700 runs in this series.

“He’s got huge character, huge talent and there were no doubts in our dressing room that he was going to perform when he came out here. ‘He’s got 600, 650 runs in the series so it’s pretty obvious he’s talented,” The Age quoted him, as syaing.

“He’s probably more talented than a KP, KP’s so naturally gifted with the shots he’s got and Cooky’s not got that. He relies on the shots that he has got and his mental toughness to get him through. He’s shown how talented he is this trip,” Anderson said.

Pietersen quickly moved into the 20s without trouble before his scoring rate slowed. On 36, he attempted to hook a Johnson bouncer that was claimed at deep backward square by Beer. (ANI)