Pietersen Thrills Headingley

Kevin Pietersen lit up the series with South Africa, with a stunning unbeaten century on Day 3 of the second test match at Headingley, as England fought back superbly against the visitors 419 all out on first innings....

With all the talk of not playing a spinner falling away, Pietersen went balistic against what most consider to be the best bowling attack in the world.

His quite extrodinary strokes, included a towering six from Dale Steyn, the number one ranked bowler in the world.

However, it was the 67th over of the England innings, that will go down in history as one of the great cricketing overs. Morne Morkal was asked by Graeme Smith to bowl round the wicket, with the leg side packed full of fielders, most of which were on the boundary for the hook shot.

The plan was to play with KP's ego, but despite a chance early in the over, when Pietersen fended off one of the short balls, (Amla spilling the chance at short leg), the remainder of the over was played in baseball style, as England's most destructive batsman, sprayed the ball over the boundary ropes, it was scintilating stuff, and put South Africa on the back foot, for probably the first time in the series.

When new boy James Taylor had joined Pietersen at the wicket (mainly due to poor shots from Trott and Bell), England were in serious trouble at 173, but the Nottinghamshire batsman (hitting a patient 34), added 147 for the fifth wicket with Pietersen to help England into a strong position at stumps, at 351-5.

All the talk though at the end of play, was that knock from KP, outstanding!

Second Test, Headingley (day three): South Africa 419 v England 351-5