Pietersen: Ton means more as skipper

8 August 2008

Kevin Pietersen salutes the Oval crowd after reaching his first hundred as captain

Kevin Pietersen celebrated his first innings as England captain with his 14th Test hundred to prove the responsibility would not alter his style.

Pietersen’s 100 helped England to post 316 at the Brit Oval and the feelgood factor continued into South Africa’s second innings - they will resume tomorrow 85 runs behind with nine wickets intact.

Although today’s innings could not compare to his maiden Test hundred here against the Australians in 2005, an innings Pietersen says “spun my world around”, it meant he led his team from the front after inheriting the captaincy from Michael Vaughan.

“It does mean more because of the scrutiny,” said Pietersen.

“But in terms of me and how I’ve been playing I have been getting hundreds and scoring runs.

“There was a lot of scrutiny that went with this match but I was so happy when I flipped the coin yesterday.

“I just went out and expressed myself today knowing I needed to score some runs and we needed to get a lead.

“I didn’t think the captaincy affected me because before the game I still did the right things and the right amount of work I normally do.

“I don’t like to make mountains out of molehills, I just like to be as simple as I can.

“I built an innings, played straight, played in my areas, played a few shots which were funky I suppose but just got on with it.”

Pietersen was twice missed in the deep by Makhaya Ntini from top-edged pulls but ploughed on to a hundred via his usual audacious shots to the leg side from outside off stump.

Paul Collingwood hit 61 and recalled fast bowler Steve Harmison struck an unbeaten 49, left high and dry when Monty Panesar was run out.

Makhaya Ntini spills one of two chances to catch Pietersen but he went on to take five wickets

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And Pietersen claimed he got as much satisfaction from his colleagues’ success as his own.

“In terms of my relationship with the players, I have to keep growing that,” the 28-year-old added.

“That has come on leaps and bounds in the four days I have been in charge.

“I am getting to learn a lot more about how the guys operate, and you have a really different perspective.

“You really want them to do well for them, for you, the team. It’s really a holistic thing.”

But after such a fantastic start - the only thing going against him so far has been the toss - Pietersen is aware greater challenges lie ahead.

“I wouldn’t say it’s an easy job,” he said.

“It can only get worse, if you look at it that way.

“But I’ve had more good days than bad days so far in my career.

“I just have to keep enjoying myself and trying to improve. It is no surprise that I keep improving because I wake up every single morning trying to get better.”

Despite the captain’s batting heroics, fast bowler Ntini, who claimed five wickets, and Jacques Kallis with three, threatened to restrict England’s lead to two figures.

“Besides the bounce and pace, at this ground in particular the outfield is much drier than the others and you feel much more momentum in getting to the wicket,” said Ntini.

“If the youngsters can’t do it then myself and Jacques have to stand up and show that we are still available for South Africa for a long time.”