Oz and Proteas sledging made me stronger, says KP

Taking a potshot at the Australians ahead of the forthcoming Ashes series this summer, former England captain Kevin Pietersen has claimed that their sledging made him stronger in mind.

London, May 3 : Taking a potshot at the Australians ahead of the forthcoming Ashes series this summer, former England captain Kevin Pietersen has claimed that their sledging made him stronger in mind.

"Your abuse has only made me stronger," The Sun quoted KP, as saying.

Regarded currently as England's number one batsman, Pietersen suffered a torrent of taunts from both the Australians and his native South Africans when he toured those two countries, and he is expecting more flak this summer.

"I have never heard abuse like the last time we were in Australia playing in The Ashes. My first England tour to South Africa in 2005 was probably the worst I have ever got, personally, but I expected that because I was playing against the country of my birth. However, Australia took me by surprise with the sheer levels of stick we got as a team. It was pretty relentless," KP said.

"But they say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger and I know the experiences I've had in Australia and South Africa over the years have made me a far tougher person," he added.ietersen is hoping to help England achieve a hattrick this summer, a Test triumph over the West Indies, victory in the World Twenty20 and the regaining of The Ashes.

And as Pietersen prepares for Wednesday's First npower Test against the Windies at Lord's, he has clearly got one eye on the looming Battle of Oz.

ANI