Gooch backs Pietersen to shine in Test series

England's new batting coach Graham Gooch has said that he expects star batsman Kevin Pietersen to be back to his best during the Test series against South Africa starting on December 16.

Pietersen has just made a comeback after four months out with an Achilles injury.

"It takes any player time to readjust and find his rhythm again after a serious injury. That comes with confidence.

"You don't lose ability, but you can lose confidence in that ability because you haven't been in the middle and felt the ball on the bat," The Sun quoted Gooch, as saying.

"You only get that rhythm from playing, getting the feet moving and seeing the ball go to the boundary again. There is no doubt that a player of Kevin's class will come back. He just needs time in the middle," he added.

Gooch further said that with just over a week away from a Test match, coaching would be a challenge.

"I know these players' games from working for the media, but I don't know them on a close personal basis where there is a bond of trust. Coaching is about building a relationship and working with someone mentally and technically over a period of time," he said.