KP urges England to learn fast

Kevin Pietersen has told England's batsmen to learn from their Indian counterparts if they are to be competitive for the remainder of their one-day series.

India lead 3-0 with four games to go, the next of which is in Bangalore on Sunday.

Despite a more encouraging performance in Kanpur yesterday, Pietersen said: "Playing against spin is something we need to work on. We've played in India for years now and there's only been a few centuries by England batsmen out here.

"We need to score hundreds to stay competitive and we haven't got a hundred yet."

The highest score by an England player so far is Pietersen's 63 in Rajkot. Only two others, Ravi Bopara and Owais Shah, have passed 50. By contrast, Yuvraj Singh has scored two centuries for India and there have been five other half-centuries.

And if that was not enough, Sachin Tendulkar, the world's best batsman, is back in the India squad for Sunday after being given time to rest following India's 2-0 Test series win over Australia.

The Aussies, meanwhile, looked to have a slight advantage in the low-scoring First Test against New Zealand in Brisbane. Bowled out for 214 in their first innings, they dismissed the Kiwis for 156 and stretched their lead to 189 by reaching 131 for six by the close of the second day.