Skipper insists batsman had prepared well ahead of series opener
Andrew Strauss believes Kevin Pietersen is "going to come right very soon" despite scores of nine and 22 in the first Test against Pakistan.
England clinched a crushing 354-run victory in the series opener at Trent Bridge thanks to a stunning 11-wicket haul from James Anderson.
Centuries from Eoin Morgan and Matt Prior helped set up the win but Pietersen was unable to contribute much with the bat, meaning he has now gone 21 innings without reaching three figures in Test cricket.
However Strauss is confident that a big score is just around the corner for his international team-mate after seeing some positive signs in Nottingham.
Determined
"Kevin's fine," he said. "He's obviously very determined to make a telling contribution.
"He wasn't able to do it in this game, although I thought he batted much better in the second innings.
"I think he's going to come right very soon. To judge any one player on this Test match would be wrong."
Pietersen missed out on the chance for some much-needed match practice before the series against Pakistan when Hampshire refused a request from England to pick him for a Clydesdale Bank 40 fixture.
Strauss does not think that was a major factor in what followed, though, insisting the South African-born batsman was well prepared for the game.
"KP has always been very clear in his mind what he needs to do practice-wise, and I don't think that's changed on the back of him not getting a 40-over game for Hampshire," he added.
"He's done a lot of work over the past couple of weeks, and the most important thing is that he feels well prepared.
"I don't think not playing in that game has made him feel any less prepared."
