Tonight:
5°c
There is nothing even remotely understated about Kevin Pietersen. His tattoos, his jack-in-the-box energy and his beaming, pearlywhite smile combine with a precocious batting talent to create a sportsman who redefines self confidence. So it comes as no surprise to learn that after just one Test match in charge, KP has announced that England are now ready to win the Ashes!
The great thing about that morale-lifting statement is that he really believes it, for it is that ego and absolute confidence in one's own game that stands cricketers like Pietersen, Ian Botham and Viv Richards head and shoulders above the rest of us. Trouble is, the majority of Pietersen's team are merely mortal and while the captain genuinely believes England will win the Ashes next summer, that is largely based on his view that he is good enough to do it on his own if necessary.
I thought Pietersen did a pretty good job at The Oval, considering it was his first Test in charge. In the field, he always looked busy and things worked for him - like Monty Panesar taking a key wicket as soon as he came on to bowl the last over before lunch.
Where he did get it wrong, in my view, was his surprising decision to go on the defensive in
South Africa's second innings when England took the second new ball. I'm sure he will learn to go with his gut instinct in future.
But perhaps the most important thing about the final Test - possibly even more than England winning - was that Pietersen scored a century.
It was an immediate answer to those who had concerns that the responsibility of leadership would adversely affect his batting. He was more circumspect in the 90s by his standards - and that is no bad thing - but a captain's form is always scrutinised and can, in Michael Vaughan's case, bring about his downfall. As Pietersen settles in to his new role, he can now do so without that pressure building in the background.
However, if Pietersen is to lift the Ashes urn next summer, there are a number of areas within his team that need close attention.
As a unit, England's batting remains unpredictable and inconsistent. I still have worries about Andrew Strauss's long term prospects as he is nothing like the batsman of two years ago. If there is any way for Vaughan to return to the team, I believe it would be at Strauss's expense.
Andrew Flintoff 's technique will be sorely tested at No6, and many batting pundits doubt that he can carry it off. No7 okay, but that means England must play a wicketkeeper capable of batting above him if they are to field five bowlers.
Monty Panesar is increasingly coming under the spotlight. His fielding , once a source of amusement, is now so poor that his team mates have clearly had enough. It is no longer a laughing matter and can easily be improved by hard work.
His appeals for lbw suggest he does not understand the laws, while his questioning of the umpire's decisions and, on at least one occasion I gather, their competence is seriously starting to irritate.
His bowling continues to lack the variety and nous necessary to succeed consistently at Test level. As England's leading spinner, Panesar would have a substantial role to play in England winning the Ashes, but he is just one who must seriously look at his game if KP's dream is to be realised next year.
