Pietersen unfazed by drubbing

The sight of England's batsmen making their way to the centre of the Brabourne Stadium for extra practice within minutes of James Anderson edging a catch to SM Shaikh, the Mumbai wicketkeeper, suggested all had not gone according to plan for Kevin Pietersen and his side in their final warm-up match before Friday's first one-day international against India.

And it hadn't. Chasing 223 for victory England were bowled out for a miserable 98 by the equivalent of a Mumbai second XI. The margin of defeat would have been even greater but for a 34-run last wicket stand between Graeme Swann and Anderson, a display that highlighted just how inept the performance of the top order had been.

As Ian Bell and Matthew Prior padded up and the groundstaff erected temporary netting around a practice pitch, Kshemal Waingankar nervously made his way to the middle hoping to get Pietersen to sign the back of his bat. Waingankar, a medium pacer with one first-class appearance to his name, was the cause of England's embarrassment, taking 5-37 in eight incisive overs. The autograph of the England captain, whom he trapped lbw for nought, gave the 23 year-old the prefect souvenir from a memorable day.

For Pietersen, as with the $20m match against the Stanford Superstars just over a week ago, it was a day to forget. He and his fellow batsmen were indisciplined against modest opponents, and the England management will be hoping the fallout from the Stanford match has not affected their morale and focus here. Pietersen does not think so.

"This is different to Antigua, and I don't think too much should be read into a performance like this," said the England captain. "It was a warm-up game and you can't get as switched on as you can for internationals. The boys had a long journey to India and we've settled in nicely now so it's just a case of getting our heads on. I'm not sure if we were fully focused but this is a really good lesson, I don't see this is a bad thing at all. By the time we get to Rajkot [the venue for Friday's match] the boys will have their heads turned on.

"The boys will be disappointed, you are never happy when you lose whilst playing for England, but nobody will remember these games at the end of the tour. It is the internationals that count and I know the boys will have their heads right and come in firing on Friday. It is a case of learning from today and this was a quick little reminder that we need to get back to winning ways."

England would have arrived in India believing that spin would have been the major threat but the team's 10 wickets all fell to seamers. "They bowled at a spinner's pace, they were 60mph dibbly dobbers," said Pietersen. "But there is absolutely no drama. If we do this three or four times in a row in internationals then there will be drama but there's no need for any yet."

The performance, though disappointing, gives some context to Australia's recent Test series defeat here. Indian cricket, on the back of the 2-0 victory over the world champions, is on a high and yesterday's result may make those who thought Australia's loss made England firm favourites to win The Ashes think again. Indian cricket has always contained many fine players and they are beginning to realise their full potential. This confidence, as long as it does not turn to complacency, means that England will have to be at their best over the next six weeks if they are to leave India with happy memories.

"There is a feeling in India that we can become the best team in the world," said Waingankar. "It is just a matter of time. The levels of confidence are growing under [Mahendra Singh] Dhoni, who my team-mates have told me is an inspirational figure."

England will be joined in India by Michael Vaughan who will fly out on 21 November after being added to the National Performance Squad. Vaughan is hoping the trip will allow him to convince the selectors he is worthy of selection for England's post-new year tour of the West Indies. The former England captain, who was controversially awarded a central contract in September, will meet up with the England team in Mumbai before the final Test.

"It will be good to have him here," said Pietersen. "He has got his head back on and is willing to do whatever it takes to get back in to the England team, which is great."

Mumbai scoreboard

England won toss

Mumbai President's XI

P Waghela c Swann b Anderson 4

P C Valthathy c Patel b Swann 44

S Marathe c Prior b S J Harmison 65

*O Khanvilkar c and b Patel 0

R D Bagade c Flintoff b Patel 25

W A Mota lbw b Collingwood 0

†S Shaikh c Collingwood b S J Harmison 37

D Salunkhe not out 19

Shoaib Shaikh not out 14

Extras (lb5 w8 nb1) 14

Total (for 7, 50 overs) 222

Fall: 1-9 2-90 3-94 4-137 5-138 6-166 7-201.

Did not bat: A M Salvi, R P Verma, Rahil Shaikh, K Waingankar.

Bowling: Anderson 8-2-35-1; S J Harmison 10-1-38-2; Flintoff 7-0-21-0; Swann 8-0-32-1; Patel 9-0-50-2; Pietersen 4-0-19-0; Collingwood 4-0-22-1.

England

I R Bell c S Shaikh b Waingankar 6

†M J Prior lbw b Verma 3

*K P Pietersen lbw b Waingankar 0

P D Collingwood c Shaikh b Verma 8

S R Patel c Khanvilkar b Waingankar 13

R S Bopara b Waingankar 9

A Flintoff c Shaikh b Shoaib Shaikh 5

L J Wright b Waingankar 1

G P Swann not out 24

S J Harmison c Valthathy b Shaikh 4

J M Anderson c S Shaikh b Shaikh 20

Extras (b1 w4) 5

Total (25 overs) 98

Fall: 1-7 2-10 3-10 4-29 5-33 6-38 7-46 8-55 9-64.

Bowling: Verma 6-1-12-2; Waingankar 8-1-37-5; Rahil Shaikh 7-0-35-3; Salvi 4-0-13-0.

Umpires: A M Saheba and M R Singh.