Kevin Pietersen is delighted to be taking the expert advice of one of England's greatest cricketers.

New England batting coach Graham Gooch imparted much good sense, according to Pietersen, in his first briefing with his new charges yesterday.

But while Pietersen cannot wait to hear more from England's all-time highest Test run scorer in the time available to Gooch in the first stint of his part-time appointment, he has not taken on board Ian Botham's criticism of current training regimes.

Gooch's fellow 1980s superstar Botham believes England's bowlers are making injury troubles for themselves with physical preparation which is too intense.

That is not a point of view shared by Pietersen, who is much more taken by Gooch's observations so far. "I was very, very impressed by the chat he had with the team - the simplicity in the way he went about his business and how he understands batting," he said.

"The legend that the man is, it will do wonders for the group of batters we have.

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"I had a chat with him, and he talked a heck of a lot of sense."

The South Africa-born batsman is hoping for much more to come from Gooch.

"I really, really enjoyed what he said - so I look forward to working with Goochie in a big, big way over the next few weeks," he added.

"The way he thinks is pretty similar to the way [England head coach] Andy Flower thinks, and the way I think - how simple batting is, but the hard work you have to put in and the mental side and the concentration.

"It all makes sense.

"You've got to back your own ability. In international sport, that is fundamental to success.

"As soon as you go out there doubting yourself or your team-mates, that is not a recipe for success."

Botham's critical take on England training, meanwhile, appears less welcome.

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The former Ashes-winning all-rounder described England's bowlers "squat-jumping like kangaroos" in training and therefore making themselves more susceptible to injury. But Pietersen believes: "In this day and age, with the amount we play, we have to put in the hard yards.

"We have to train hard, and our bodies have to be in tune.

"Injuries are going to come along - in the 1980s, 1990s and now.

"New methods of training have definitely come a long way and got better.

"I think it's helped a lot of the players. I think our fitness levels are fantastic."

Pietersen explains there are not just the physical benefits but mental ones too.

"Just look at the agility of the one-day team, everybody's fielding - the way our fast bowler can field at midwicket or extra-cover," he said.

"I don't see it as a problem at all. I think it's great for discipline.

"Running up sand dunes, like we did the other day, is a bit different - and for team spirit it is fantastic."

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