ASHES villains Kevin Pietersen and Stuart Broad have hit Adelaide's bars - instead of the nets - with a vengeance, despite being belted by Australia in Brisbane's Ashes opener.

Having rested during England's weekend tour match in Alice Springs, superstars Pietersen and Broad kicked up their heels to the wee hours on Monday morning at city club Zhivago. , on Currie St.

The club Zhivago confirmed Pietersen, who made 18 and 26 in Brisbane, paceman Broad and Jonny Bairstow were at the venue on Sunday night.

It was an unexpected pit-stop for from the high-profile pair - upstaging the Barmy Army. England is under pressure to retain the Ashes, trailing 1-0.

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The Poms were rolled by 381 runs at the Gabba but Broad and Pietersen enjoyed a liquid preparation four days ahead of the Test.

A Zhivago spokeswoman said club patrons described the group as "extremely friendly" and were more than willing to have a photo and a chat with fans.

"They were at the club most of the night enjoying a few drinks and the newly renovated venue," she said.

The photos were taken at about 12.45am, with the cricketers staying until "about 3.30am", according to one drinker at the venue.

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The reveller told The Advertiser the cricketers were recognised by fans inside the club but were flanked by security and stood by the bar for most of the night.

"They were getting stuck in but by no means messy," the patron said.

The England stars mixed with patrons in the venue clubbers after getting in from the Red Centre around 6.45pm.

Facing Aussie fast bowler Mitchell Johnson's 150km/h missiles would be enough to drive anyone to distraction.

The late-night tipple might incur a raised eyebrow from England coach and former South Australian batsman Andy Flower, a noted stickler for discipline and immaculate preparation.

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However, England's management said the players had not broken team protocols.

"They are free to do as they please, they are grown men," an England spokeswoman said.

Pietersen is married to Liberty X singer Jessica Taylor but the England boys have to be content with each other's company - WAGS are expected to arrive in Perth next week.

South African-born Pietersen labelled Australians "convicts" on arrival in Brisbane last month but might have been more comfortable among "free-settlers".

The second Test at upgraded Adelaide Oval starts on Thursday.

Originally published as English stars' early drinks break