Hampshire stars flop for England (From Daily Echo)

Hampshire stars flop for England

10:02am Tuesday 9th March 2010 in

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England drew their pre-Test warm-up against Bangladesh A but another failure for Kevin Pietersen meant they left with the same major problem they arrived with three days ago.

Pietersen's lack of form is fast becoming the story of the tour but, after compiling just 49 runs in six innings before today, he managed just 20 more before being bowled on the sweep by Mohammad Ashraful.

England, whose second innings ended on 185 for five in nominal pursuit of 284, had earlier accelerated the game by offering the hosts nine overs of pitiful declaration bowling which were taken for an astonishing 189.

That decision must have been, at least in part, designed to hand Pietersen some much needed time in the middle - but instead Cook (43 retired) made most use.

Michael Carberry's prospects of a Test debut on Friday must hang in the balance after the Hampshire star looked in good touch before falling for an inconclusive 25.