Major innings 'round the corner' for KP

Kevin Pietersen hits over the top during his innings of 45. A big contribution is "round the corner", predicts Paul Collingwood

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Paul Collingwood, England’s most successful batsman on the tour of South Africa, is confident it is only a matter of time before Kevin Pietersen starts making big runs again too.

Collingwood, who last week marked his record 171st one-day international cap with an unbeaten hundred at Centurion and added 86 in a losing cause at Newlands yesterday, has already seen plenty of evidence that the “old KP” is on his way back.

Pietersen shared a fourth-wicket stand of 84 with Collingwood last night as England lost by 112 runs to allow South Africa to level the series at 1-1 with two games to play, starting at St George’s in Port Elizabeth tomorrow.

By Pietersen’s standards, his 45 was an understated performance. But Collingwood points out it would be unreasonable to expect him to be instantly back to his destructive best in only a handful of innings since returning from a four-month absence following Achilles surgery.

“I wouldn’t start putting him under any kind of pressure,” Collingwood said. “If you think of the lay-off he’s had I don’t think you’d expect him to come in and score hundreds straight away.”

Even so Collingwood, who has often largely stood and admired Pietersen’s world-beating strokeplay from 22 yards during previous partnerships, saw enough in Cape Town to conclude his team-mate is close to hitting top form.

“It’s fair to say that there are some of the shots he’s playing, with the old Kevin Pietersen there,” he added.

“It’s not going to be too long before he’s making a massive contribution, just like he used to.

“He’s not going to hit his straps 100% straight away. But he’s certainly showing signs that he’s got a big innings round the corner.

“As soon as he makes that big innings, the old flamboyant KP will be back, because he’s certainly not far away.”

Collingwood extended his fine run of form with a battling 86, forcing South Africa to reconsider their approach

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Even before the big runs flow, Collingwood sees the mere presence of Pietersen as a major asset for England.

“It’s just great to see him back on the pitch, running around fine - with that energy back,” he reported. “You can do as much training as you want in the nets, but the centre is where it counts.

“So far, he’s looked pretty solid without having that major innings. But he’s that kind of world-class player who will be clicking soon.

“Just having his presence in the batting line-up is the crucial thing. No opponents want to bowl against KP. It gives the rest of the lads a lot of confidence.”

England eliminated South Africa from the Champions Trophy in September , surrendered a 1-0 lead to draw the Twenty20 series and are now in a tough battle for the one-day series.

“So far it’s been a little bit of a rollercoaster ride in terms of results and performances,” Collingwood said. “It’s been an up-and-down tour.

“But a lot of credit goes to South Africa and the way they bounced back last night. Right from ball one, their intent was very good and put us under a lot of pressure. We’re not going to get it right all the time.

“We hope in new conditions in Port Elizabeth we can adjust to them and play the better cricket again tomorrow.”

As for his own outstanding run of consistency - he has scored 57, 105 not out and 86 in three competitive games on this tour - the Durham all-rounder insists he is doing little different now: simply trying hard, as he always has.

South Africa admitted they are having to reassess Collingwood’s capabilities, and he admitted: “It’s nice when the opposition are looking at you like that.

“Obviously, I feel in very good form at the moment - seeing the ball well. I’m enjoying the wickets out here; I gained a lot of confidence from playing in the Champions Trophy on faster and bouncier wickets.

“I’ve been working on my game over the years - trying to improve - and I’m just starting to see some of those benefits. Confidence is high, and it’s amazing what you can do when confidence is that high.

“I’m not doing anything that different. I’m probably striking the ball a little bit harder than I used to and I’ve opened a couple more areas out technically.”