Pietersen leads England charge

Pietersen (104no) shared an unbroken stand of 192 with Ian Bell (75no) in a stumps total of 309 for three to ensure England dominated day one of this heavyweight four-Test series against South Africa.

The tourists' much-touted pace attack went wicketless through the morning and evening sessions - and were out of luck for all but three overs of the afternoon too.

But after Alastair Cook (60) and Andrew Strauss had shared an opening stand of 114, Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn suddenly began to live up to their lofty reputations.

And Steyn struck just seven balls later with a swinging delivery which smashed Michael Vaughan's stumps as he attempted to clip through mid-wicket - the skipper making just 2 runs.

From 117 for three, however, Pietersen responded with his fourth Test hundred on this ground - hitting 13 fours and a six off 127 balls.

He was hit on the helmet by Steyn when he had just one run to his name, and it was Bell who was into his stride more quickly after the two batsmen came together without a run between them.

But once Pietersen found his feet, his fourth-wicket partner was content to allow him to take control.

When the hundred came with a four crashed past cover off Morkel with the second new ball, Pietersen celebrated by leaping high into the air - and repeating the dose as he ran to the non-striker's end.

South Africa, perhaps understandably, were muted in their appreciation of his innings but Lord's rose to acknowledge his achievement and again at the close to signal the compelling start to a running saga this summer with Pietersen as its central character.