Cricket: Kevin Pietersen cracks up viewers with penetration talk

He's been a promising addition to the Channel Nine commentary box but Kevin Pietersen found himself stuck in a rut on day two of the First Test - and cricket viewers couldn't help but notice.

As Australia searched for wickets in the evening session - having thrown away control of the match with a disastrous collapse - a large crack developed in the middle of the WACA pitch.

KP wanted the home side to target it. Actually not target it, penetrate it. Penetrate it to within an inch of its life.

"What we're talking about is the penetration of that crack," said Pietersen, as a graphic showed how seamers Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh were failing to land any deliveries directly targeting the stumps.

But the Aussies failed to act and in his next stint alongside Michael Slater, Pietersen revived the topic. "The Aussies just haven't penetrated the crack enough," Pietersen continued.

Viewers, who were perhaps ruing the fact Quinton de Kock wasn't out in the middle, shared a collective laugh on the couch at home.

But it's largely been a positive start to the summer for the former English batsman, who shone on our screens during Channel 10's coverage of the Big Bash League last season.

Pietersen was prepared to have a crack at Australia's plans in the field yesterday, questioning why Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc bowled around the wicket. He also wanted an immediate change to the South African batting line-up - although his suggestion of moving de Kock to the top of the order fell on deaf ears.

"I think the one thing South Africa should have done in this Test, he should have opened the batting," said Pietersen, after de Kock top scored with 84 in South Africa's first innings.

"When Warner comes out, he's going to whack it (and) de Kock could have done the same this morning.

"He doesn't think too much, he keeps it very, very simple and in the nicest possible way.

I'm not being condescending at all. He literally doesn't think too much about the game."

Insight like that has been well-received by a notoriously cynical Australian audience.

Let's hope KP keeps up the good work. Of course, if long-time supporter Piers Morgan had his way, he'd still be doing something else.