Pietersen says Black Caps are the best team in the world

Kevin Pietersen

Speaking from Australia where he has signed with the Melbourne Stars in the T20 Big Bash League, Pietersen says New Zealand’s bowling attacking is second to none.

“I think New Zealand are the best team in the world at the moment – they’re playing brilliant cricket,” the 104 Test batsman said.

“As long as (Trent) Boult and (Tim) Southee stay fit I think New Zealand are a fantastic team.”

Big call in reference to the seventh ranked ODI side in the world.

New Zealand are currently playing a five match ODI series against sixth ranked Pakistan in the UAE, losing the opening match by three wickets overnight.

Backing up Pietersen’s claims, the Black Caps, who allowed Pakistan to chase down 246 with three balls remaining, were without strike bowlers Boult and Southee.

Both pacemen are back in New Zealand preparing for the up-coming Sri Lanka tour alongside captain and in-form batsman Brendon McCullum.

Boult has taken ten wickets in his ten ODIs with best figures of 2/40 and an average of 39.60. In Tests, he averages 27.85 and has best figures of 6/40 with 99 wickets to his name.

Southee is a mainstay of the Test and ODI side, taking 107 wickets in 80 one-dayers at an average of 31.67. His best figures are 5/33 and he can also swing a bat, keeping a strike of over 90 in 46 innings.

Pieterson, who played (136) 50 over matches for England, is a vocal critic of captain Alastair Cook and wasn’t included in the provisional 30-man English squad for the World Cup next year.

“Everybody in the world of cricket knows Alastair Cook shouldn't be playing for England in one-day cricket,” Pietersen said.

“Ian Botham [has said it]. Nick Knight, who sits on the fence with everything, even he's come out and said he shouldn't be playing. And I wouldn't be surprised if his own teammates already think it.

"I love to see England winning and England would win more games than they wouldn't if Cook didn't play one-day cricket.”

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