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'Such a weakness': Kevin Pietersen's 'scared' sledge for England captain

They say a week is a long time in footy - turns out the same could be said of the Cricket World Cup.

Little over a week ago, former England star Kevin Pietersen took to Twitter to call for the trophy to be handed to the Brits.

But as Australia took the English to batsmen to task in their 64-run loss, Pietersen quickly changed his tune, and he had captain Eoin Morgan in his sights.

Pietersen again took to social media as England tumbled to 3/26 early on, claiming Morgan ‘looked scared’ when he was facing Aussie quick Mitch Starc.

Pietersen later expended on his commentary on Morgan once Australia had completed their win over their arch rivals.

The former star batsman didn’t spare Morgan a second time, suggesting England would need to make changes if they couldn’t find a way to improve, and fast.

Morgan was asked about Pietersen’s opinions after the match in an awkward exchange with a reporter.

After initially grinning when Pietersen’s name was brought up, Morgan was less than impressed with his former teammate’s suggestions.

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When it was put to Morgan that Pietersen said he was backing away from Starc, he replied “Really? Excellent.”

“I didn’t feel that way at all.”

England under the pump at World Cup

It was the team's third loss of the tournament after they were defeated by Pakistan at Trent Bridge earlier this month.

However, Morgan did admit his side's confidence has taken a knock after their much-vaunted batting line-up was destroyed by left-arm tearaways Jason Behrendorff and Mitchell Starc, who took nine wickets between them.

The hosts are in fourth place in the standings and now must beat third-placed India or second-placed New Zealand to secure a spot in the last four of a tournament many expected them to win.

England captain Eoin Morgan dismissed Kevin Pietersen's suggestions he was 'scared' of the Australian bowlers.
English captain Eoin Morgan bristled at former teammate Kevin Pietersen's suggestion he was 'scared' of Mitchell Starc's bowling. Pictures: Getty Images

"I think it (confidence) will take a little bit of a hit," Morgan said.

"But I certainly don't think it's knocked anybody in the changing room. Normally when we lose games of cricket, like I mentioned yesterday, we go back to what we do well. We'll still strive to do that for Sunday's game.

"The chances are in our hands.

"Everything is within our control. We just need to produce a performance worthy of winning either one or the next two games."

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Morgan bristled at a question suggesting England have a mental block about facing Australia in World Cups.

He also crankily dismissed claims from Behrendorff that his bowlers bowled too short early in the Australia innings, with Aaron Finch and David Warner taking advantage by putting on 123 for the first wicket.

It was 27 years ago that Australia last tasted defeat to England in a World Cup, in Sydney in 1992.

Tuesday's loss was all the more jarring for Morgan's side, who had won nine of the previous 10 meetings between the sides.

"Of course he did," Morgan said when told of Behrendorff's claim.

"Early on, I don't think we did bowl short.

"I've just been shown a highlight reel of short deliveries in which poor shots were played.

"They were supposed to be short. They were aimed at guy's shoulder or armpit. I thought we didn't have a little bit of green early.

"We made Australia play and miss a lot. But that's his opinion and he's entitled to it."

England face India at Edgbaston on Sunday.