McGrath compares Pietersen with Lara

Sydney, Oct 23 (UNI) Comparing Kevin Pietersen to Brian Lara, veteran Australian medium pacer Glenn McGrath said the swashbuckling England player -- along with skipper Andrew Flintoff -- would be the key to defending champions' Ashes fortunes next month.

''Kevin Pietersen is one of those players in world cricket without fear, which has helped turn him into one of the game's real entertainers. He strikes the ball as well as anyone, to all parts of the ground. Without any doubt he will be one of the keys -- alongside 'Freddy' Flintoff -- for England in this summer's Ashes campaign,'' McGrath wrote in his column for the 'Daily Telegraph'.

''Because of the way Pietersen plays, it's a bit like Brian Lara -- you always feel as though you are a chance to get him out,'' he added.

However, the veteran feels pietersen's tendency to play strokes from the very onset of his innings makes him a suspect against a good bowling attack.

''I'm sure his teammates would not be happy if Pietersen played a big shot and was dismissed cheaply when the pressure was really on.

But, given that he loves to play strokes from the outset, that's always a chance,'' he said.

McGrath said he would be targetting Pietersen in the much-anticipated series as the left-handre was a class player.

''Is he a target of mine leading into the Ashes? Absolutely.

Everyone in the England team is a target but particularly their class players. At the end of the day, my job is to get rid of their openers and expose the middle order,'' McGrath said.

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