Pietrson To Continue
Kevin Pietersen is set to bat on for England at Headingley when the third Test resumes, after retiring hurt on Friday evening with cramps in his arm.
Pietersen blazed 104 runs from just 131 balls, with Ian Bell continuing his fine form to be unbeaten on 66.
Pietersen is set to take the crease at start of play, not out, after Matthew Hoggard fell to the last ball of day one with the hosts 347-6.
“I got severe cramps in my forearm and I couldn’t grip the bat as well as I should have done,” he explained.
“I had it needled and massaged and hopefully I’ll face the first ball.”
Pietersen will be reunited with Ian Bell, who went to stumps unbeaten in 66, looking for his third successive century.
Pietersen insists the wicket is still favouring Pakistan’s attack, though.
“If you get the ball up to the bat and give it an opportunity to swing and seam there is still enough in the wicket,” he added.
“Ian Bell got hit on the arm by a ball that took off late in the day and Matthew Hoggard got a good ball to knock him over.”
“I didn’t think once that I was really in on that wicket.”
However, pace bowler Umar Gul said the pitch was still favouring the batsman, despite taking 4-73 for Pakistan.
“It was not like Old Trafford and Lord’s - the ball was coming onto the bat very easily,” he argued.
“So we will try to bowl the rest of the batsman out in the morning and try to bat well ourselves.”
