Pietersen primed for spin challenge

Kevin Pietersen will be geared up for the greatest spin challenge the world has to offer when England's Test series against Sri Lanka gets under way on Saturday.

Pietersen, 27, believes facing record-chasing spinner Muttiah Muralitharan in his home city will be the toughest spin assignment he has encountered.

Murali needs five victims at the Asgiriya Stadium to surpass Shane Warne's career total of 708 and Pietersen said: "They are both assassins. Both champions. Both geniuses. It is just a pleasure to face them and hopefully try to get the better of them."

He added: "I know the way Shane tries to get you out and the way Muralitharan tries to get you out.

"The difference is Muralitharan spins the ball both ways and is harder to pick; he is a lot harder challenge because of the way he spins it both ways with a pretty similar action.

"If you look at Muralitharan's delivery stride his feet don't change whereas other bowlers' do. The only change is his wrist and it is hard to pick that up."

Pietersen added: "Can I pick him? The more you face Muralitharan the more you start to pick him. But I am not going to say I pick Muralitharan.

"Everybody thought I did last year but I only picked him 70-80% of the time.

"The more you play him the easier it becomes, as with any bowler.

"It is just a case of trying to spend some time in the middle and get through your first 20 balls."