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East London - Top England batsman Kevin Pietersen has admitted that there is mounting frustration among the England players who have been unable to play or even practice this past week because of the inclement weather that is dogging the tourists.
"It's frustrating to sit in the hotel," Pietersen said at a press conference on Monday. "We have a huge series coming up and we want to get cracking."
Pietersen, who is recovering from an Achilles heel injury, is hoping to get in some game time in the two matches England play against Invitation XIs led by Wendell Bossenger at Buffalo Park.
Pietersen, of whom much is expected by England on the tour, is in need of runs and with the opening Test against South Africa looming, England will be happy if he gets among the runs during the two games.
"It's been very hit-and-miss on this tour. I don't think I've been on too many tours where we've actually had two games rained off," the batsman said.
He smiled as he recalled: "It's worked in our favour so far, in terms of the results."
He was not fazed by any abuse from South African crowds.
"I mean Ricky Ponting gets abused by crowds in England, Graeme Smith gets abused by English crowds. I really don't mind it, just as long as people respect good cricket both teams play."
He accepts that the upcoming four-Test series against the Proteas is going to be tough.
"It's going to be a huge series for us and a huge one for South Africa - a tough one away from home."
He said that he had been impressed with Graham Gooch's brief to the team Monday morning.
Although Pietersen has failed to pass 45 in any of his five innings on tour following a four-month injury lay-off, former England captain and batting great, Gooch, who recently joined the tourists as their batting coach, is confident that Pietersen will eventually come right and score big runs again.
"It's frustrating to sit in the hotel," Pietersen said at a press conference on Monday. "We have a huge series coming up and we want to get cracking."
Pietersen, who is recovering from an Achilles heel injury, is hoping to get in some game time in the two matches England play against Invitation XIs led by Wendell Bossenger at Buffalo Park.
Pietersen, of whom much is expected by England on the tour, is in need of runs and with the opening Test against South Africa looming, England will be happy if he gets among the runs during the two games.
"It's been very hit-and-miss on this tour. I don't think I've been on too many tours where we've actually had two games rained off," the batsman said.
He smiled as he recalled: "It's worked in our favour so far, in terms of the results."
He was not fazed by any abuse from South African crowds.
"I mean Ricky Ponting gets abused by crowds in England, Graeme Smith gets abused by English crowds. I really don't mind it, just as long as people respect good cricket both teams play."
He accepts that the upcoming four-Test series against the Proteas is going to be tough.
"It's going to be a huge series for us and a huge one for South Africa - a tough one away from home."
He said that he had been impressed with Graham Gooch's brief to the team Monday morning.
Although Pietersen has failed to pass 45 in any of his five innings on tour following a four-month injury lay-off, former England captain and batting great, Gooch, who recently joined the tourists as their batting coach, is confident that Pietersen will eventually come right and score big runs again.
