2005 Ashes team better than Cook's: Kevin Pietersen

The exiled England player says the 2005 side had stronger batting and bowling line-up

Banished England batsman Kevin Pietersen praised his side’s Ashes triumph against Australia as 'brilliant' but said the win was not as special as his side’s Ashes win in 2005, NDTV reported. 

"This team has been brilliant, but our 2005 side was better. I think our batting line-up was stronger than this side, and with the likes of (Simon) Jones, (Steve) Harmison and (Andrew) Flintoff we definitely had a much stronger bowling attack," said Pietersen.

Andrew Flintoff capped off an incredible over by taking the wicket of Australian captain Ricky Ponting in Ashes 2005. PHOTO: AFP

Under Alastair Cook’s leadership England reclaimed the Ashes as they decimated Australia in the fourth Test winning in just two days and 40 minutes after bowling the series favourites out for 60 runs on the first day.

"There were stronger characters in both sides in the 2005 series too. Australia had the likes of (Shane) Warne, (Adam) Gilchrist, (Justin) Langer, (Matthew) Hayden, and (Ricky) Ponting while we had Harmison, (Michael) Vaughan, Flintoff, and me whacking it round with a stupid hairstyle.

Freddie Flintoff (left) and Kevin Pietersen (right) on their way to 10 Downing Street for a meeting with then British Prime Minister Tony Blair in 2005. PHOTO: AFP

“So I think there was definitely a lot more for the crowds in 2005," said the 35-year-old.

The former England captain also hailed some of the decisions taken by England’s management such as appointment of Australia’s Trevor Bayliss as head coach and the rehiring of Paul Farbrace as the assistant England coach.

"I think ( director Andrew) Strauss has made some good decisions, especially with Trevor Bayliss and Paul Fabrace and those guys have done a fantastic job in turning it around this summer," said Pietersen.