Andy Flower hopes improved batting in limited-over series against Pakistan

England batting line struggled against spinners particularly Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman during their first-ever whitewash at the hands of Pakistan in the Test series.

Before Pakistan series, England’s last sub-continental outing was the limited-over tour of India late last year, during which they were humbled by 5-0 in the one-day series.

This will be a challenging series for us: Flower

“This will be a really challenging series for us. In our last one-day series in sub-continental conditions, we lost badly to India. The batsmen are lower in confidence after the Tests, so it will be a serious challenge for us,” said Flower.

“I expect better things from the batsmen, and I really expect to see us improve with our knowledge and method of how to combat their spin,” he added.

Flower rates-up Pietersen

England have decided to promote middle-order batsman Kevin Pietersen, who also looked lackluster among his other batting-mates in the Test series, to the top-order for the one-dayers and Flower explains the philosophy behind the move to face maximum deliveries.

“He’s a very, very fine cricketer – very dangerous – and someone we’d like to give the option of facing as many balls as possible in the limited-overs game. If he stays in long enough, he will win games for us in that position,” the Zimbabwean said.

The four-match one-day series will be followed by three Twenty20 internationals.