Captain Andrew Strauss, Kevin Pietersen claimed the failure to get rid of his recent series of bad form as England prepare to face Pakistan in a series of four tests ahead of the Ashes this winter. The England captain does not care if Pietersen, who recently became a father for the first time, failed to score over 50 runs in their last 17-day internationals for his country. South African born drummer great day last score was 111 against India in November 2008 undefeated, but Strauss is confident Pietersen will recover - from Pakistan.

"Kevin just turned 30, but had a lot of cricket left in him," said Strauss. "I had a difficult time, no doubt about that." He did not score in both function as it did in the past. But it is a cricketer of high quality and will come back and play to win the game covers for us. "He took a break and was well received. A new addition to the family changes their priorities a bit and you need for your life in order. I think he'll go out and play well against Pakistan.

"Kevin wants to be a great cricketer and he knows how to do is score runs consistent performance setting and win the game and not worry that it will." Strauss is clearly the support to return to form in their series against a team from Pakistan, which has had to appoint a new captain following the withdrawal of the field test, Shahid Afridi, after only one match in a bar. "I was surprised, partly because it happened so suddenly and because it seems strange to be named captain, and then resign after a Test match," Strauss admitted. "But he had his reasons for that and if you feel that is worthy of his place in the team or who does not enjoy the format, then the worst thing we do is follow the master when the heart is not in him.