KP fires England to win

Just 24 hours after he predicted the astonishing rise of Twenty20 cricket would ultimately sound the death knell for the longer one-day format, Pietersen delivered the type of spectacular innings which may yet breathe new life into this form of the game.

His stunning, unbeaten 110 off only 112 balls transformed England's innings which was stuttering at the halfway stage to reach a commanding 307 for five and in reply New Zealand were dismissed for a lowly 193 in another one-sided encounter at Chester-le-Street.

It was the type of performance which could only have been delivered in the longer format, where batsmen have the time to develop their innings, and may one day be used as evidence in defence of 50-over cricket.

Pietersen's brilliant knock, which included eight fours and three sixes, overshadowed a useful return to form from captain Paul Collingwood after his struggles during the Test series and another encouraging bowling display from Stuart Broad to complete another convincing victory over the struggling tourists.

Promoted to number three for only the second time in 70 one-day internationals for England after Alastair Cook was ruled out with a shoulder problem, Pietersen thrived on the situation and held the innings together after the loss of two quick wickets around the halfway point.

After Luke Wright went early on Pietersen's innovations helped add 136 in only 122 balls with Collingwood, whose own hopes of ending his run famine on his home ground ended when he chopped a quicker ball from Vettori onto his stumps for a determined 64.

With only 6.1 overs remaining Owais Shah had little time to make an impression but still succeeded, racing to a brilliant 49 off 25 balls including four fours and three sixes.

In reply New Zealand never looked like reaching the formidable total and Collingwood, boosted by his earlier innings, ended New Zealand's resistance in swift fashion by claiming four for 15 in just 2.5 overs to seal the comfortable triumph with 7.1 overs remaining.