I’m certain it wasn’t well received. – Steve Harmison reflects on Kevin Pietersen’s critical remarks about England’s performance on Day 1 at Lord’s.

After an exhilarating first Ashes Test at Edgbaston, Australia and England clashed once more at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London for the second Ashes Test. The Australians, who batted first on Day 1, dominated the English bowlers with their bats, leaving the English bowlers searching for answers. Former English cricketer Kevin Pietersen criticised England‘s performance on the first day of the second Test during the Tea break. Pietersen believed that England’s performance was insufficient. His statement was widely shared on social media. Former England paceman Steve Harmison, however, disagreed.

Harmison opined that the mainstream media would not welcome Kevin Pietersen remarks and that there is a time and a place for everything.

“I believe this club has had a few bad days in the past 13 months. Steve Harmison told talk SPORT that there is a time and a place for some of the criticisms levelled against the players, such as being too friendly. However, the criticisms were made in the mainstream media.

They are there to express their opinion, and I won’t criticise Kevin Pietersen for expressing his. It wasn’t always warranted and it wasn’t always well received – I’m sure it wasn’t well received in the England dressing room this morning,” he added.

A few of us could tell Kevin to quiet up in no uncertain terms: Steve Harmison

Steve Harmison was also of the opinion that he would have concurred with Pietersen if he had analysed England after the match, when they would have been defeated. However, there are still many days remaining, and it was unnecessary to make such severe remarks so early on.

“It certainly wasn’t the case when we were in the England dressing room, but a few of us could tell Kevin to quiet up, but he’s getting paid to give his opinion. Yesterday, there was a lot of frustration at moments, but you have to look at it in a five-day context,” Steve Harmison said.

“If he had said it on day five when England had been defeated, I would have probably agreed with him, but he says it on day one when there’s still a lot of cricket to be played, the sun has to come out, and you have three inningss remaining,” he added.