Pietersen's Reign Starts With a Win
New captain Kevin Pietersen guides England to victory
Aug 11, 2008
Kevin Pietersen’s reign as England captain got off to the best possible start as his side beat South Africa by six-wickets at the Brit Oval.
Despite still losing the series 2-1, both English players and supporters will take heart from winning the fourth and final test.
Victory will be even sweeter for the new captain after he decided to leave South Africa in 1997, citing the regime’s controversial racial quota system as the main reason.
Eleven years on, and the Proteas loss has certainly turned out to be England’s gain.
The 28-year-old’s maiden test as permanent skipper could not have gone better.
The Hampshire player became only the third Englishman to score a test ton in his first match as captain, after hitting exactly 100 in the first innings. A feat that helped him bag the Man of the Match award.
Pietersen’s heroics in the middle also saw him finish the series as the leading scorer having notched 421 runs.
THE ENGLAND WICKETKEEPER PROBLEM
It has certainly been an encouraging start for the new team leader, but Pietersen and head coach Peter Moores will know that the performance could have been much better, especially with the bat.
One suspect position that will be up for discussion before the twenty20 and one-day series begins against South Africa on August 20 will be that of the wicketkeeper.
Tim Ambrose, who has occupied the position since March, has been less than impressive in the three matches against the Proteas, with both bat and gloves.
The Warwickshire keeper could only manage a top score of 36 in the six innings he batted in, while his role behind the stumps has also been in for some harsh criticism.
Much like Manchester United’s difficulties in finding the perfect replacement for goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, England have struggled to find a capable alternative at wicketkeeper since the reliable Alec Stewart retired in 2003.
Keepers such as Chris Read, Phil Mustard and Matt Prior have all come and gone, and on current form, it would seem Ambrose is likely to have his gloves taken away too.
GOOD RETURN FOR HARMSION
One player who has made the most of his return to the national side though is Durham fast bowler Steve Harmison.
After being dropped in March, the 29-year-old took full advantage of being recalled to the starting side with some hostile spells which had the South African batsmen ducking and diving to avoid his 90mph thunderbolts. He certainly deserved more than his match figures of 4-133.
ENGLAND BOWLERS
With James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Monty Panesar and the fit again Andrew Flintoff also getting amongst the wickets it will be interesting to see whether the 2008 Wisden Cricketer of the Year Ryan Sidebottom will be able to win his place back in the England team.
Under the new exciting leadership of Kevin Pietersen, England now have to take confidence from this victory and build upon it, as preparations for next year’s Ashes series start now.
