Moores: KP will lead from the front

Peter Moores insists that Kevin Pietersen can be a succesful England captain

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Peter Moores is confident Kevin Pietersen will be able to deliver a straightforward assessment to his England team if they fail to perform as he would like as the new captain.

The England coach has watched Pietersen closely over the last week after he succeeded Michael Vaughan into the role and then guided England to a six- wicket victory over South Africa in the final Test at The Brit Oval.

All the initial assessments of his captaincy have been focused on Pietersen’s determination to lift spirits by publicly backing his players and praising their efforts.

But there will come a time during his reign as captain when he will need to swap the touchy-feely style of captaincy for a tougher approach by delivering a few good old-fashioned home truths to his side if they do not reach his exacting standards.

It is a big test for any captain who has been brought up from the ranks, having the courage to stand up and dress down players he may regard as close friends.

Coach Moores has no doubts that Pietersen can handle that part of the captaincy and be tough when required, however, stressing: “I think he can speak openly and be fair.

“When you get criticism, as long as its fair and honest, players will always accept it and Kevin can do that. It’s quite insightful how he sees the game and if he gives feedback it will be fair and honest.

“If that was the situation and they thought they should cop it then they’d be happy to take it. They would take it on the chin and respond to it.”

So far England’s players are yet to experience the sharp edge of Pietersen’s tongue having responded superbly to his promptings to outplay the tourists in the final Test, albeit a dead match following their series triumph at Edgbaston.

Recalled fast bowler Steve Harmison provided pace and hostility in his first Test since March and England looked a far more threatening attack for having a four-man seam line-up rather than playing an extra batsman.

“I think players like to be supported because it’s a tough environment out there,” explained Moores. “There will be a case to be supportive, but also there will be times when he will have words with players because that will be the right thing to do at the time.

Pietersen enjoyed a succesful start to his reign as England captain with a victory over South Africa

“What they will know with Kevin is that he’ll be in there scrapping with them, he will put his own neck on the line and he’ll get stuck in and go with it and I think they’ll respect him for that.”

Pietersen has already given an inkling of the type of captain he is likely to be, leading from the front and expected his team to follow and aim for his own high standards both in preparation and in the thick of the action.

Widely regarded as one of the hardest-working members of the squad already, Pietersen’s standards may come as a shock to the system for some members but Moores is convinced the hard work ethic can only help improve the team.

“Since I’ve been here he works harder than anyone else on his game and he’s full of beans and energy,” conceded Moores. “In your first Test match you’re going to be like that.

“What KP is saying is that if you can have 11 blokes that work on their game then you’re a tough side to beat and that’s the challenge for everybody within the set-up.

“The captain will lead that and it’s up to everybody else to make sure we get ourselves in the right place before we start any game and also stay there throughout the game.”

And Moores praised the way Pietersen went on the offensive against the Proteas to seize the early initiative.

“Kevin captained true to his word. He said he was going to want to play positive cricket but also that’s got to be linked to being disciplined, trying to be aggressive and take the game to the opposition,” added Moores.

“I thought at times he did and it’s worked well for us and we’ve come out on top. It’s something to build on and it’s a great start for everybody, a great boost before the one-day series.”

Pietersen is expected to take a break over the next few days having accepted the England captaincy, consulted business leaders about their approach to leadership, hit a century and claimed his first Test win in charge all in the space of eight days.

Nearly all the rest of England’s Test squad will also take a break before those involved in the one-day series assemble for training in Edinburgh on Sunday prior to their first ever one-day international against Scotland the following day in preparation for the NatWest one-day series against South Africa.