Geoff Boycott rips into Kevin Pietersen for dismal Ashes dismissals

Former England captain Geoff Boycott has cast doubt on the Test future of a self-absorbed Kevin Pietersen as Australia set their sights on taking the lead in a ''best-of-10'' Ashes marathon in the Boxing Day Test.

Though the Melbourne Test is a dead rubber, Australian opener Chris Rogers has revealed the home side freshened up its motivation to extend its 3-0 series lead by including the recent 3-0 defeat in England in the scoreline.

''We still see it as three-all, so it would be nice to win these last two, and everyone is playing for their position as well,'' Rogers said.

''It wasn't that long ago we lost that second Test at Lord's and the pain we felt after that was probably one of the worst moments of my career. That's still pretty fresh in our minds. So there will be no let up.''
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One of the key battles Australia has won is with Pietersen, who is averaging 27.5 in the series.

In a column for London's Telegraph, the outspoken Boycott drew attention to the exceptional batsman's irresponsible dismissals and said England coach Andy Flower should give his cricket board an ultimatum - ''either he goes or I go''.

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