Flower encouraged by Pietersen knock

18:45, Dec 11 2009

Kevin Pietersen's first half-century since his comeback from injury was the most encouraging aspect for coach Andy Flower as England piled up the runs at Buffalo Park. Andrew Strauss made 100 while there were 50s for Pietersen (71), Alastair Cook (52) and Jonathan Trott (50) in a stumps total of 317 for five declared on day one of two against a South African Invitational XI. "The other guys have been in the runs recently, so Kevin's innings was probably was the most pleasing aspect of the day," said Flower. "He has been out of cricket, and then not scoring heavily. Him getting in and getting that time in the middle was vital. "You could see as his innings progressed that he looked more balanced and more assured at the crease. That's very important for him." Story continues ADVERTISEMENT While Pietersen, Strauss and Cook all scored at a good rate, Trott did anything but - taking an hour over his first four runs. When he finally reached a 135-ball 50, Trott was immediately retired out - like Strauss and Cook before him. But Flower explained: "He was obviously working through his own processes out there in the middle, and I didn't have a problem with him batting that slowly. If that gets him ready for the first Test then all well and good." As for conditions which hardly simulated what England should expect for much of the forthcoming four-Test series, Flower is in no mood to complain. "This is the preparation we were given, and I think we've made the most of it so far," he added. "Obviously, we would have preferred a bouncier pitch - because that is what we are expecting in the Test series. But that was not to be, and they've done a really good job getting this ready for us."

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