Century joy for captain KP

England's 78th Test captain became only the third in history to hit a century in his maiden innings in the post.

He guided his new side into a 25-run lead before his dismissal, to leave the home side on 232 for four at tea on the second day at the Brit Oval.

Pietersen walked to the crease in the first over of the day after Ian Bell (24) fell to the fourth ball when he edged seamer Makhaya Ntini to South African captain Graeme Smith, who claimed a catch diving to his right at first slip.

He began with a flurry of boundaries and hit nine fours in his first fifty and survived a couple of close escapes before bringing up his 14th Test century shortly before tea.

Pietersen's first reprieve came when he had progressed to 52 as he mis-timed an attempted pull off Morne Morkel but Ntini was unable to collect the catch diving at full length in the deep.

Ntini was also involved when Pietersen had progressed to 61 as he mis-timed an attempted drive off Andre Nel. Although this time Ntini got his hands to the ball, he was unable to collect as he dived at mid-on.

On the way to his hundred, Pietersen dominated useful partnerships with Alastair Cook (39) and Paul Collingwood (49 not out) which enabled England to overcome their shaky start.

Ntini had Cook caught behind to claim his, and the tourists' third wicket and Pietersen (100) was next to go shortly after reaching his century.