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Flintoff and Pietersen celebrate

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Andrew Flintoff feels Kevin Pietersen is the man to end England's wait for a major one-day international trophy.

Pietersen has made a dynamic start as both one-day and Test captain, but it is the exploits in the shorter version of the game that have really caught the eye so far.

He led England to an emphatic 4-0 win over South Africa in the recent Natwest series and Flintoff believes his self-confidence has rubbed off on and galvanised his team-mates.

Flintoff himself was a leading figure in the drubbing of the Proteas, finishing as the leading wicket-taker and run-scorer, and believes there is a new-found belief within the one-day side.

"We've got all bases covered and when you've got Luke Wright coming in to bat at number eight that's a strong line-up," Flintoff stated.

"Everything is there but it's been there in the past so it's more about a mind-set or a confidence thing, which I'm sure this side will get from Kevin.

"One of the big things he has passed onto the side so far is confidence. He's a confident lad and I think that's started to rub off onto quite a few of the players.

"When you see the way he goes about his business, especially towards his own game, and no matter how good a player you are you can still watch and learn from that."

Progress

The Lancastrian all-rounder is now hopeful England can maintain their progress in the one-day game and build towards a major tournament success.

"Potentially it can be a very good side," he continued. "If you look at the players and the talent they've got it's all there but I'm sure England sides of the past have thought that as well.

"If we're allowed to play together over a long period of time and allowed to grow together then this side has great potential.

"I've played in three World Cups and in each one of them, a week before the tournament began England didn't know its best side and there was loads of chopping and changing.

"I'm sure if these lads are allowed to play with each other over a length of time, I think that's the way they'll develop into a really good team."