KP, Johnson clash during Ashes warm-up

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Cardiff: Kevin Pietersen got into a heated argument with Australia pacer Mitchell Johnson before the start of the final day's play in the first Ashes Test that clearly rattled the right-hander while he went into bat in England's second innings here on Sunday.

The tension boiled over when Pietersen struck a ball that went close to hitting Johnson, who was warming up with his team-mates before the start of the day's play.

The Australian pacer was not amused and confronted Pietersen and the pair was captured by TV cameras standing chest to chest, exchanging words and eyeballing each other until Johnson was pulled away by fellow pacer Stuart Clark.

The incident completely agitated Pietersen and it was clearly visible during his 16 minutes stay at the crease.

Pietersen edged an aggressive Johnson just short of second slip and also survived a close lbw appeal from Peter Siddle. He was finally cleaned up by Ben Hilfenhaus for eight runs.