New skipper Kevin can play lead role for years ahead

The idea of South Africa-born Pietersen leading England out at Lord's tomorrow for the final NatWest Series match against New Zealand will thrill some people and horrify others. But then the flamboyant batsman, 28 years old today, has been dividing opinion since he qualified to play for this country in October 2004.

To his supporters, Pietersen has been a brilliantly talented breath of fresh air for English cricket, never afraid to speak his mind off the field and almost always looking to be positive on it - even when the situation is fraught with danger or his own form has dipped a degree or two below top drawer.

To those who chuckle when he fails, the man from Pietermaritzburg has far too much to say for himself, takes too many risks for the team's good and, in any event, should be playing for South Africa rather than a country he turned to after identifying a more clearly defined route to the top.

Those criticisms, though, cut no ice with Geoffrey Boycott. "People make a fuss about the fact that he comes from Pietermaritzburg, but that's nonsense,'" said the former England skipper. "Tony Greig was an excellent England captain, and he was from a similar background. Ted Dexter was born in Italy and Colin Cowdrey was born in Bangalore. If you're playing for England you're English. Enough said.

"Now that he's captain, we might see a new side to him. I hope the extra responsibility will make him knuckle down and act with more care. Especially when he is at the crease."

Come tomorrow Pietersen will be as proud as punch to lead England through the Long Room and onto the grass at Lord's.

Captaining the one-day team in a 50-over international that, whatever the result, is unlikely to make much of a splash in cricket's rapidly thickening history book will have nothing to do with the Indian Premier League or a Stanford £ 10million match.

It will be about England trying to square the NatWest Series, about playing the game properly after Wednesday evening's unsavoury events at The Oval - and about a bloke trying to show he can lead through word and gesture as well as by batting example. Above all, it should be a lot of fun to watch because Pietersen is bound to want to make things happen.

Collingwood was seen as the safe choice for one-day captain when Vaughan stood down last year after England's anaemic performance in the World Cup. And, having served a four-match ban that was imposed because of his team's slow over-rate, he will probably return to the helm before August's NatWest Series against South Africa gets interesting.

But the jury has not yet made up its mind on Collingwood's leadership skills - and won't have been pushed any nearer a positive verdict by Wednesday's run-out incident which the skipper should have nipped in the bud by recalling Grant Elliott.

So, if Vaughan sustained an injury before Thursday week's First Test against South Africa, who would replace him as captain?

Not Collingwood, that much seems certain. He is fighting hard to retain his place in the five-day side, for one thing, and would enjoy the extra pressure of captaincy about as much as a collision with Ryan Sidebottom.

Andrew Strauss is the most likely, but it was only four Tests ago - and four Tests against New Zealand, remember - that Strauss looked as though his international career might be beyond rescue. So another alternative to Vaughan is needed. Not for a year or two, hopefully, but it is good to have a few candidates in mind. And one of those contenders could be Pietersen.

"Captaining England has been a dream of mine but I understand I'm assuming the role in Paul's absence," he said. "To be asked to captain your country is the ultimate honour in sport and I feel privileged and proud. I am excited by the challenge of captaining such a young and talented side."

Your country? Find fault with that phrase, if you will. But just wait until New Zealand have gone home and England are up against South Africa before questioning Pietersen's passion.

No matter who the selectors had put in charge for tomorrow's game, though, the overall requirement would not have changed: the home team needs to finish this NatWest Series like they started it in Chester-le-Street to bring the first half of the summer to a satisfactory close.

"I, like the rest of the dressing-room, expect an outstanding England performance to finish the series on a high," said Pietersen.