England were beaten by 10 wickets this morning, with Australia openers David Warner and Cameron Bancroft knocking off the final 56 runs required.
After the defeat, Pietersen listed five reasons why Joe Root’s side should be concerned heading into the day-night second Test in Adelaide on Saturday morning.
He believes the lack of runs from the England tailenders and their batsmen’s frailties against the short ball are major issues for the rest of the series.
“A worry, a real, real, real concern,” Pietersen said on BT Sport.
“The concern is the tail of England, it didn’t wag.
“The concern is top order, nobody seemed to be able to play the short ball well. If you want to score runs in Australia you’ve got to play the short ball well.”
Pietersen is also concerned over Jimmy Anderson’s lack of impact in the first Test, with England’s all-time leading wicket taker claiming just two scalps from his 40 overs across both innings.
The four-time Ashes winner also says bowler Jake Ball is not good enough for Test level, with Moeen Ali’s cut on his spinning finger another concern for the team.
“Concerns over Anderson, Anderson producing in this Test match. Did he? No he didn’t,” Pietersen added.
“Is Jake Ball any good? I don’t think so, not at this level, not in Australia from what I’ve just seen.
“Especially with the hype leading into this Test match about him wanting to make this Test match and him having to play this Test match.
“The cut on Moeen Ali’s finger. There are concerns, there are issues.
“If they go down in Adelaide, wow this is going to be a long trip.”