Aussies will target Pietersen, warns Hussain

Australia's think-tank will be plotting Kevin Pietersen's downfall even now, according to Nasser Hussain.

Former England captain Hussain was as impressed as anyone by Pietersen's recent performances in South Africa, where the new recruit scored three centuries during the seven-match one-day series.

Now all the talk is of Pietersen getting to grips with Australia in this summer's Ashes battle.

First, though, the 24-year-old batsman must face the world champions in a batch of one-day games, and Hussain knows Australia will be out to target him.

"Obviously there is a technical thing with Kevin," said Hussain, who was speaking at Lord's today while helping RAM International to launch a range of cricket equipment for clubs and schools.

"There is a lot of movement across his stumps and he favours the leg side. The one thing Australia do incredibly well is to target you technically and their coach, John Buchanan, will be looking at videos of him already and setting out a plan for the bowlers."

Pietersen - with an English mum but born, bred and cricket-educated in South Africa - has qualified to play for England just four years after moving to the country.

"I don't have a problem with it, it's just a bit of a grey area, that's all," said Hussain.