England's schedule 'ridiculous' - Pietersen

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England batsman Kevin Pietersen has termed his side's hectic schedule leading up to the World Cup as 'ridiculous'. England will leave for the World Cup in the subcontinent just three days after their ongoing tour of Australia, which began in October last year.

"Our schedule is ridiculous going into this World Cup," Pietersen told PA. "It has been for England teams for a very long time, and that's probably why England have not done well in World Cups."

Pietersen also criticised the format of the six-week long tournament, saying the gaps between matches were too long. "How can the England team play once and then in six days' time play again, and then in six days' time play again," he asked. "It's ridiculous but there's nothing we can do about the schedules. I wouldn't say we're going to be knackered because it's going to be the World Cup, and we all want to win this World Cup."

Despite being unimpressed with the itinerary, Pietersen felt that England had a good chance of following up their maiden ICC title victory in last year's World Twenty20 with their first World Cup triumph. England have shown vast improvement in the limited-overs format in the last two years, winning nine of their previous ten bilateral ODI series before losing steam early to concede the ongoing seven-match ODI series against Australia.

Pietersen credited England's resurgence to enhanced skills in all departments of their game. "The batsmen have improved, the fielding is top-notch, our catching is incredible, our bowling is so skilful. I just think our skill levels are really, really good."