Pietersen heading for tough time against Lankan spin attack, says Law

London, Mar 11(ANI): Former Sri Lankan coach Stuart Law believes English batsman Kevin Pietersen would have to learn to tackle the art of playing left arm spinners if he wants to do well when both countries play the first Test match at Galle next month.

Pietersen failed to make any impact during his team's 3-0 whitewash in the Test series against Pakistan in UAE.

Left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman trapped Pietersen leg before wicket twice in six innings.

Sri Lanka is now being led by Pietersen's mentor Graham Ford, and Law believes this is going to be a disadvantage for the Englishman.

"He's one of those players that when he's hot he's red-hot but when he's not then he smoulders in the corner," Express.co.uk quoted Law as saying.

"The Sri Lankans are pretty keen on their left-arm spinners against right-handed batsmen so the tour is going to be another massive test for the England boys. They'll target Pietersen for sure. As soon as KP comes out to bat, Herath will be warming up. They will have seen what has happened to his form in the Test series against Pakistan," he said.

It wasn't only Pietersen who struggled in the series in UAE. England's top seven batsmen averaged a combined 20.50 in three matches, which is their lowest figure in nearly 76 years.

"Sri Lanka haven't got the mystery spinner that Pakistan have in Saeed Ajmal - he's completely different, very similar to Muralitharan," Law said. (ANI)