Splendid Pietersen century gives England the upper hand at Lord's

The gesture was so understated it was almost missed in the sustained ovation that
greeted Kevin Pietersen’s hundred in his first Test against the country of his birth.

Yet the quick glance and muttered ‘well batted’ from Graeme Smith to his old adversary as he jogged past him spoke volumes.

This was the moment the South Africans had finally to accept they let a rare talent slip out of their grasp the day Pietersen decided to leave his native Natal and throw in his lot with England.

Kevin Pietersen celebrates his century against South Africa at Lord's

This was just as satisfying and significant a landmark for Pietersen as the maiden Test century that won England the Ashes in 2005.

And this was the day that Smith, the South Africa captain, decided that any more verbal jousting with the man he once accused of treachery was futile.

Better to accept that a special innings from a special player had swung the advantage in the first npower Test indisputably England’s way.

The first day of the most important series in England since the fabled summer of 2005 belonged to Pietersen.

Yes, he could so easily have thrown it away when he went for a suicidal single to get off the mark and, yes, he had to overcome being struck on the back of the head by the hostile Dale Steyn when he had scored just that one run.

Yet, ultimately, Smith’s decision to ask England to bat on what was expected to be an under-prepared pitch was made to look as wrong as Ricky Ponting’s insertion at Edgbaston in 2005 and Nasser Hussain’s in Brisbane in 2002.

Never mind that Michael Vaughan would also have bowled first. His side mastered
what was supposed to be the most fearsome pace attack in the world.

Pietersen, of course, was at the centre of it. South Africa had looked as though they had rescued their captain when they took three wickets in a 13-ball spell to reduce England to 117 for three.

Yet, from a position where the Test was clearly in the balance Pietersen, overcoming a nervy start, and Ian Bell, who so rarely delivers when the pressure is at its most intense, rose magnificently to the challenge.

The departures of Andrew Strauss, to a shocking decision from Daryl Harper, Vaughan to a magnificent ball from Steyn and Alastair Cook to the much-heralded bounce of Morne Morkel, saw England waste the platform their openers had built with their second century partnership this summer.

If ever there was a need for Bell to dispel the notion that he is a gifted wastrel this was it. He had scored only 45 runs in the three-Test series against New Zealand and had to deliver if he was not to be the prime candidate for the drop once Andrew Flintoff returns, probably in the second Test at Headingley next week.

Bell made a dream start while Pietersen settled, racing to 30 off his first 18 balls as the South Africans overpitched in search of swing.

Then, when Pietersen had found his feet, Bell settled into a supporting role. He stands today 25 runs short of his eighth and what would be his best Test hundred. Yet, it could only ever be the sub-plot to the main drama.

Pietersen strode in to bat purposefully with a smile on his face to be greeted by just the one seemingly aggressive comment, from the hapless Mark Boucher, but betrayed his true feelings with that moment of uncertainty when he should have been run out by Makhaya Ntini at mid-on.

Then, as he grew in confidence, the expansive strokeplay returned, Paul Harris being dispatched for four and six in successive balls.

Such was Pietersen’s later dominance that he scored 91 runs in the last session - one on drive off Steyn being worth the admission money alone - and celebrated his
13th Test century and fourth at Lord’s with a restrained display of jubilation accompanied by applause from every South African fielder bar Steyn at long leg.

He will begin again on 104 on the second morning with England in the fantastic position of 309 for three and with his average in excess of the magical 50 mark once more.

Pietersen’s average at Lord’s, indeed, is more than 80 and his record against South Africa is beyond belief after his three centuries against them in the acrimonious one-day series three years ago in which he made his name.

England must press on beyond the 400 that has proved impossible in the first innings of any of their last 12 Tests. They must score at least 500 and then make South Africa regret their posturing and over-confidence approaching this highly important game.

And, most of all, regret the day Kevin Pietersen turned his back on their country.