England batsman Kevin Pietersen has vented his spleen ahead of the second Ashes Test in Adelaide, describing the groundsmen’s failure to protect the pitch from rain as “pathetic”.

Pietersen, who made 43 in his only innings in the drawn first Test, got stuck into the groundsmen via his beloved Twitter feed, saying: ‘What should a groundsmen make sure he does 2days out from a test match????’

“Cover the nets when it rains maybe??? PATHETIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Pietersen’s furious outburst prompted a swift response from the South Australian Cricket Association (SACA).

“There was a sudden rainstorm around 1pm, and SACA ground staff responded immediately to cover the centre wicket,” it said in a statement.

“Once the centre wicket was protected, the practice wickets were covered.”

Maybe Pietersen should take a break from bagging people on Twitter. It hasn’t done him any favours in the past.

After being dropped from the England ODI side earlier this year, Pietersen gave the selectors a spray via Twitter, before being forced to issue a sheepish apology.