PS: KP for Tests

Up until this match, Pietersen’s extraordinary weight of runs had been counter-balanced by his habit of shuffling across and whipping everything to leg. As they lined up a hypothetical Ashes XI, the selectors might have looked at his technique and imagined the scoreline ‘K P Pietersen lbw McGrath’.

However, Sunday’s innings may turn out to be the tipping point, the moment when Pietersen proves himself too talented and versatile to be ignored. The difference this time was in the scoreline: 32 for three when he came in, and 68 for six an hour after. Looking to pilot a recovery, England’s new rocket man was forced to go easy on the afterburners.

Pietersen’s first fifty runs took 80 balls, and would not have looked entirely out of place in a Test rearguard, but when he flicked the switch, the pyrotechnics began. Universally known as K P, Pietersen has been more of a Golden Wonder since his England debut in Zimbabwe three months ago. After Sunday’s innings, his overall tally stands at 558 runs from 554 balls for four times out. Not many players can have scored a One-Day International hundred and actually seen their average come down.

Even Graeme Smith, the South African captain, agreed that Pietersen deserved his Man-of-the-series award – despite having played in a side who lost 4-1. Pietersen has spent much of the last fortnight catching up with old friends and family, which may explain why he was the one batsman who did not play like a man with one foot on the flight home.

On the subject of Pietersen, Michael Vaughan’s verdict was hard to dispute. ‘‘K P has come in and set the world alight,’’ the captain said. ‘‘He’s an immense talent – and I can’t see why he wouldn’t do well for us in Tests.’’

The Daily Telegraph