Pietersen powers England

10 July 2008

Kevin Pietersen swivels as he pulls in front of square in his fine unbeaten century

Kevin Pietersen chose the perfect moment to deliver another Lord’s century and ensure England dominated the first day of the npower Test series against South Africa.

He helped cut short a collapse that saw England lose three wickets for as many runs by guiding England to 309 for three at the close of play at Lord’s courtesy of an unbeaten 104.

Pietersen could have been dismissed twice before he had even reached double figures but recovered his composure sufficiently to hit 13 fours and a six as he forged an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 192 with Ian Bell, who made 75 not out.

England entered the game on the back of much hype over South Africa’s pace attack, but, though the tourists won the toss in seamer-friendly conditions, their failure to play any Test cricket since April told as they allowed Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss to enjoy a 114-run opening stand.

South Africa consistently failed to bowl enough balls to trouble either of England’s openers during the early stages and it was not until they regrouped at lunch that the required lines and lengths were hit consistently.

The turning point was a contentious lbw decision against Strauss, who made 44, from a full-length delivery by Morne Morkel which umpire Daryl Harper failed to spot had pitched outside leg stump.

Their two strike bowlers immediately demonstrated how effective they can be with Dale Steyn striking seven balls later with a delivery that swung away late to bowl Michael Vaughan as he played half-forward.

Five balls after that the extra bounce and pace generated by Morkel accounted for Cook, who had battled for over three hours for his 60, when he attempted to fend off a short ball which looped off the shoulder of the bat for AB de Villiers to run from third slip to take the catch.

Ian Bell works the ball to leg as he and Pietersen share an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 192

England had slipped to 117 for three with Pietersen and Bell united at the crease, both men needing to prove a point for different reasons as they embarked on their innings.

Pietersen would no doubt have wanted to impress once more against the country of his birth, while Bell was keen to put a disappointing series against New Zealand behind him.

Adrenaline pumping at the start of his innings, Pietersen almost ran himself out before he had scored when he pushed Steyn to mid-on and set off for a single. He would have been short of his ground had Makhaya Ntini hit the stumps from a tight angle.

Steyn then surprised Pietersen with a bouncer which rattled his helmet, but while Pietersen was struggling to assert himself, Bell looked assured from the moment he arrived at the crease and drove Morkel through extra cover for four to get off the mark.

However, Bell struggled to match that early strokeplay and when he became stuck in the 40s for 43 balls and 68 minutes, Pietersen accelerated past him to reach his half-century first.

Pietersen signalled his intentions by hitting left-arm spinner Paul Harris for a four and a six off successive balls and reached his century by punching Morkel off the back foot for four before celebrating with a flourish, twice jumping in the air to celebrate.

Lord’s rose to acknowledge his achievement and again at the close to signal the compelling start to what is shaping up to be a sensational series.