Kevin Pietersen has claimed that he is batting as well as he ever has done for England, despite his recent troubles during the current Ashes series.
Australia secured comfortable victories in each of the first three Tests to regain the urn and Pietersen has averaged just 27.5 in his six innings.
"I'm 33 years of age, and I'm batting as well as I've ever batted. I'll retire when I can't get up to play for England. I'm good as gold at the minute," Pietersen told reporters ahead of the fourth Test in Melbourne.
"I've got myself in every single time I've batted on this tour. I felt like a clown in Adelaide when I hit a ball from Peter Siddle to mid-wicket - I just didn't feel good at the crease at all, and you have those days sometimes.
"Every other time I've batted on this trip I've felt really, really good. I've got myself in every time I've batted, and a couple of times fortune didn't favour the brave."
Pietersen has recorded 23 centuries in 102 Tests for England.
