Pietersen should attack Aussies: Vaughan

Kevin Pietersen balances a football during England's nets at Lord's yesterday. pic/afp

Instead, the man who handed Pietersen his Test debut believes he should back himself to clear the ropes and make big scores.

Pietersen was particularly criticised for his pre-meditated sweep to Nathan Hauritz, a shot which cost him his first-innings wicket, but Vaughan has backed the South Africa-born player to go after the off-spinner when the sides next meet.

"What we expect from Kevin is for him to play to his maximum ability. He got out playing a shot he'd played before and knocked for one," Vaughan told BBC Radio Five Live.

"But what I'd have liked to see was Kevin taking on Hauritz down the ground a few more times and hitting him for six.

"I've seen him do it to Shane Warne and to Murali, so I'd like him to attack a little bit more.

"He is an attacking player; I don't buy the thought that he's a guy who should bat for time.

"As captain I always felt if Kevin could bat for three hours he could take the game away from the opposition. I want to see him continue in a positive vein because that's the kind of player he is."

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