Pietersen says 'grown-up' England squad 'having so much fun'

Star England batsman Kevin Pietersen has said that the current England team has 'grown up' as a result of mistakes made last year and are having 'so much fun', a day ahead of the first Test of the winter Ashes series.

Pietersen believes that England can achieve a second Ashes triumph in Australia, and a record-equalling fifth in all as the team is a much tighter group and therefore a tougher team, which he admitted, is a result of the crisis that he provoked last year.

According to The Guardian, Pietersen, who complained of his isolation in the England dressing room after the century he made in Headingley last year, has now said that the players have all learnt from the mistakes made last year, have grown up and created a 'fantastic' team environment.

Pietersen further said that he and his teammates are enjoying in the current team environment and had even laughed at him being labelled as 'arrogant' by the Australian media.

Stating that he wants to enjoy the next two or three years of international cricket for England, Pietersen also said that he and his teammates could make the team environment a lot more fun, adding that the key to a good relationship is proper communication.

Pietersen mentioned that unlike last year, when there was a bit of treading on eggshells and 'pussy-footing' around, the players have now acknowledged that it is time to do some business as an England team.