Pietersen quick to make bold choices

Pietersen has never lost the ability to surprise as a batsman - and, clearly, he does not intend to be any different as a leader.

Essex youngster Ravi Bopara, widely expected to play against South Africa at The Brit Oval tomorrow, will have to wait a bit longer while Ryan Sidebottom, named England's cricketer of the year earlier this season, is also missing from the summer's final npower Test because of injury "niggles."

That means Pietersen will captain a side containing only five specialist batsmen, with Flintoff restored to his Ashes-winning role at No 6. Stuart Broad returns after missing the Edgbaston defeat which brought about Michael Vaughan's resignation but it is Harmison who will take the new ball in partnership with Jimmy Anderson.

"I chucked a few ideas around at home last night," said Pietersen. "To me that looks like a real strong side. After speaking to Mooresy about it, we chatted this morning, we both came to the same conclusion."

Pietersen was careful to include coach Peter Moores in the selection thinking. But, despite that act of diplomacy, he used the words I and me on several occasions and there is no doubt this is the side KP wants.

"I think we need the extra bowler - I think it's a positive move, an aggressive move and one where Mooresy and I have come to sing off the same hymn sheet," said the man whose only experience of captaincy so far is to lead England to a one-dayer defeat at Lord's in June.

"It gives the batters the responsibility to go out and score the runs. And I like 'Fred' at No 6, it's a positive move - it balances the side hugely.

"Fred is happy there, I've spoken to him and he's said that whatever I want him to do, he's there for me, which is great from the big man.

Flintoff has occupied the No 7 position in the last two Tests and has yet to make a halfcentury. But Pietersen is not worried. "I think the way 'Fred' has batted for us this summer he has looked to build an innings," said the skipper.

And Harmison? The Durham fast bowler was dropped by England after their defeat by New Zealand at Hamilton in March and many people thought he might never play for his country again.

But Pietersen clearly wants him and believes he must have the new ball again after often being reduced to a first change bowler over the last couple of years.

"Steve is buzzing, absolutely buzzing," said Pietersen. "You can see that little smile coming on his face. I've given him the responsibility to take the new ball.

"I back him, I've had a great relationship with him over four or five years. There's a lot of trust there and I'm going to place some good responsibility on him, and the big man will deliver for us."

Pietersen will have a message for the whole team tomorrow, though.

"I think the big feature is to get back to playing with a real amount of pride and with passion," he said. "And to try to play with confidence and without fear.

"I think the recipe for success I've tried to use is to play my way all the time, and to play without fear. Once you go over the white line you must express yourself and trust your instinct.

"I think there has been a bit of worrying too much about little things."

Pietersen revealed that he had spoken to Vaughan "every day" this week. "He is there for me 24/7," said the captain.

But one thing from Vaughan's era - the huddle on the outfield just before start of play - may disappear straight away.

"It's something I've thought about," said Pietersen. "I'm not sure. That's been Michael's thing. I'll make a decision in the morning."