Dream start for Pietersen

England end the series on a high

By Tony Curtis   Last updated: 12th August 2008

Alastair Cook half century v South Africa at the Oval

Cook: Half-century

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Kevin Pietersen's reign as England captain got off to a winning start - but it was not without a few nervous moments.

Chasing 197 on the final day to win back some pride after already losing the series, England made an encouraging start.

Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook racked up 109 in the session before lunch, however the afternoon period saw South Africa ensure that the home side did not have things their own way.

Four wickets fell - Makhaya Ntini removed Cook and then Ian Bell, while Paul Harris saw off Strauss and Pietersen - as England began to wobble.

However Paul Collingwood remained defiant and Andrew Flintoff smashed a six down the ground to see England reach the target with six wickets in hand.

The opening session of the day gave no indication of what was to come as England made good inroads in to their target.

Having made slow progress to reach the half-century stand, Cook and Strauss suddenly cut loose.

With 104 balls needed for the first 50 runs, the second came at just under a run a ball.

The century partnership arrived in 159 balls and England entered the lunch break on 109-0.

Fight

However, the South Africans came out for the second session determined not to let the game go without a fight.

Having crafted his way to 67 (including 12 fours), Cook was drawn into driving at a fuller delivery from Ntini, but he could only edge to Graeme Smith at slip.

Bell quickly followed Cook back to the pavilion for just four when he was clean bowled after shuffling too far across his stumps.

The nerves really began to set in, though, when a thick inside edge to Smith at leg-slip removed Strauss. The Middlesex opener was left furious with himself as his defiant stand came to an end on 58.

Pietersen was in no mood to see his party ruined by his fellow countrymen - and was happy to drop anchor.

However with the finishing line in sight, he fell in to a trap laid by Harris and was caught for 13 by Neil McKenzie.

And it was left to Collingwood and Flintoff to finish off the job, with a couple of lusty blows sealing the win.

The Ashes 2009 Win Outright: England 13/8

Comments

Natalie Mccullough says...

I too am a South African living in the UK. We all know why so many players come here - to get the opportunities, same reason as most of us. Regardless of where he is from - KP is bringing a modern cricket approach to a country very much behind, compared to the rest of the world...

Posted 13:06 12th August 2008

Dave Shaw says...

Dice - if he is that bad why did he get the bst batting average of both teams this series?

Posted 11:37 12th August 2008

Syed Zainulabeddin says...

Kevin Pietersen did a good job both as a captain as well as batsman - he is perfectly suitable to the job of captain, brought a good grip against South Africa in first innings, smashed a superb knock of 100 under pressure. He deserve all the compliments. Even Smith's men did a amazing task by clinching the series and making England to bow down at their home place

Posted 11:28 12th August 2008

Dice Lefoko says...

Im a South African n im not even excited that we beat England,i always knew we would becaue honestly speaking the England team is overated,but congratulations to them fo winning,i think KP made a gud decision to join England bcos he wudnt have a place in de S.A squad,so he had to go where he can play

Posted 10:24 12th August 2008

Dave Shaw says...

Jade - whats the problem with english sport? That lap of honour was to thank the fans who were still cheering them on. They were not doin it because they lost. Thats the GREAT thing about english sport (or english sportsmen/women); they respect the money spent and effort given. Plus we are celebrating after this match because it was a much better performance (well still not that great at batting), not because we lost. Besides most english people will accept that they deserved to lose this series. I think you need to learn a little humility.

Posted 09:51 12th August 2008

Ashton Henry says...

To Nonto, KP is an Englishman- he renounced playing for SA because of their racist policies of job reservation. These policies will lead to the further flight of talent and a brain drain that will ultimately stifle productiivity and growth and will lead to serious problems in SA.

Posted 09:38 12th August 2008

Peter Byrnes says...

yes well a win is a win and never underestimate the value of it dead rubber or not. K.P. - reminds me a bit of when oz appointed ricky ponting - do leopards change their spots - i think my country is vulnerable post mcgrath, warne, langer, gilly and ponting is an iffy captain at best but england better get jones harmison and flintoff firing otherwise big totals loom -panesar, broad and sidebottom -cannon fodder

Posted 09:01 12th August 2008

Jade Hanning says...

Lets not forget this was a dead rubber. If was an English supporter I wouldnt be happy at hall after having lost a test series at home. Thats the problem with English sport. I remember a while ago the English rugby team doing a lap of honour after losing to the all blacks at twickers beacuse the scoreline wasnt too bad. Pietersen's captaincy cannot be commented upon after one game, time will tell but my feeling is that Strauss should have been given the job. Excellent captaincy by Graeme Smith bar the continued and unjustified selection of Paul Harris. South Africa need a world class spinner, England in my opinion have a well balanced team but lack in professional management and coaching. Australia are still way ahead of everyone.

Posted 06:57 12th August 2008

Andrew Malcolm says...

A fantastic moral boost after a dissapointing test series for england, KP hit the nail right on the head with the selection, hopefully this will give momentum into the winter tour and confidence going into the ashes series,

Posted 06:40 12th August 2008

Catlover Lady says...

Nonto - Don't forget KP is half English too!!

Posted 23:05 11th August 2008

Andy Page says...

Great performance by the whole team. The selection of 4 bowlers was what we were crying out for at edgbaston. The 5th bowler of course being freddie, and the four bowlers selected enabled fred to keep bursting through with his natural aggression and enabled each spell for all the quicks to be firing at all times. Impressed by the captaincy of KP. A breath of fresh air. I still feel the batting is suspect. Let's face it. The south africans without Ntini or Steyn looked a weak attack. Credit to all however,let's look forward to the tour of india with great expectancy.

Posted 21:30 11th August 2008

Daniel Doody says...

Congrats to Kevin & England! Yes i know South Africa have won the series but wasn't it great to see the England lads laughing and joking with that winning smile again! I'd almost forgotten the feeling under Vaughan's ruling!!

Posted 19:31 11th August 2008

Keith Nickisson says...

I am glad to see england got their team selection correct for a change. How refreshing to see them play with some passion instead of appearing to go through the motions. Good luck to Pietersen pity he is not in the green and gold but the cricket world is where he belongs. He will provide cricket lovers the world over with much pleasure in the same way the likes of Sir Viv Richards and sir Ian Botham of a bygone era. Good luck Kevin.

Posted 18:04 11th August 2008

Nonto Hadebe says...

why does england have to use a south african born player as captain - without KP where is english cricket

Posted 17:50 11th August 2008

Nick Mooney says...

KP got it spot on with the bowling attack. Loads of energy in the field & relentless attacking cricket from England. The team played like Petersen does when he bats, full of confidence & very aggressive. For once I was not bored watching a slow labouring England performance, well done boys!

Posted 17:12 11th August 2008

Sahina Khatun says...

i'm really glad that England won this test match, even though South Africa won the series. But Kevin Pieterson was an amazing captain for the test match at the Oval and he will carry on superbly in the future, especially with the ODI coming up.

Posted 16:20 11th August 2008

Rex Whittaker says...

kevin pietersen did a great job as captain - bringing the best out of the bowlers by active encouragement and bold field settings that constantly showed initiative and imagination - great stuff kev - keep up this excellent start

Posted 16:08 11th August 2008

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