Kevin Pietersen has urged England's batsmen to embrace the challenge of facing Mitchell Johnson in the Ashes.
The five-match series, which resumes in Edgbaston on Wednesday, is currently tied at 1-1 following Australia's emphatic triumph at Lord's last time out.
After struggling in the first Test, Johnson took six wickets in the second to cast aside doubts over his form.
Pietersen believes that England should be "ignoring defeatist thoughts" and looking forward to taking on Johnson, who claimed 37 wickets when the Aussies thrashed England 5-0 18 months ago.
"Johnson has exerted a psychological hold over England's batsman ever since he sorted out his own mental approach to cricket," he told The Telegraph.
"It is hard for teams to break that hold, especially when he is in form, but you have to embrace the challenge and ignore defeatist thoughts.
"When you retire from cricket you want to be able to say you scored runs against the best teams in the toughest situations. So, who cares if he is bowling well? England have to relish the challenge."
Australia bowler Mitchell Starc recently claimed that the tourists are preparing to attack England with aggressive short-ball deliveries at Edgbaston.
Jack Prescott
