To say that this man has been a thorn in South Africa’s flesh is an understatement. Kevin Pietersen has created headaches yet again in a one day match and with the captain in such thunderous form, who cares about the rest of the line up?
South Africa have only themselves to blame if they are not be able to surpass England’s score. The England openers, put into bat by their skipper, played out their role. It was not the most fanciful of opening partnerships. But they withstood their first test together in the first match of the one day series. Ian Bell scratched out a Test innings like anchor knock while Matt Prior appeared to be catching a bus and late by good measure.
South Africa’s bowling was far from fairy tale. But even decent bowling did not meet with their typical fielding and catching, the high standards by which the team is usually measured. Vernon Philander, filling in for Morne Morkel, was guilty of an early drop and England seemed to get through their makeshift opening pair without too much discomfort.
Jacques Kallis finally provided the breakthrough and when Philander managed to hold on to another wobbly catch to dismiss Engand’s new number three, Owais Shah, off Johan Botha’s bowling, South Africa appeared to have pegged England back after their seemingly comfortable start.
But then arrived the man of the moment and his able partner in crime. Pietersen has been easily the man to tame on this tour as in previous encounters with South Africa. But South Africa were caged in by some mediocre bowling and lackluster fielding and the tall England lads capitalized to good effect. Their astounding near unbeaten partnership (Flintoff was dismissed in the last over) since England lost their three wickets for 113 in the twenty-ninth over once again had the South Africans running for cover.
Pietersen survived a rather close lbw decision off Botha as the ball hit the back leg with Pietersen on the move and practically out of the line of the stumps. He was saved by dubious technology when Mark Boucher destroyed the stumps even as Pietersen’s bat appeared to be in the air as he dove into his crease. He was not going to let this opportunity go to waste.
The anticipated switch shot never came out. But Pietersen did not need it. He found the ball in his area of business and thereafter, made batting against South Africa appear a cakewalk. His shots were both, majestic and effortless. It is relevant to understand from the perspective that no many boundary shots were on offer until the fortieth over when he really got stuck into the self-doubting South African attack. More importantly, his form appeared to be a catalyst for Andrew Flintoff who gradually got into gear and the duo made South Africa pay for every callous delivery, every casual fielding effort and costly when fumbled. The ninety-four runs that came in the final ten overs may have swung the advantage in England’s favour and unless South Africa come up with a similar batting effort, England will feel a reprieve starting off as the decided underdogs at home.
When Flintoff departed making seventy-eight off seventy balls, England had surpassed Headingley’s first innings average of 235 with England finishing on 275. Pietersen may have not been rewarded for a century for his sublime effort, walking back unbeaten on 90. But he will be, if England manage to draw first blood.304092