Pietersen defies India

13 August 2007

Kevin Pietersen celebrates a match-saving hundred on the fifth day © Getty Images

Kevin Pietersen hit a defiant century to help England salvage a draw in the final npower Test at the Brit Oval and restrict India to a 1-0 series victory.

Pietersen claimed his 10th Test hundred to limit the damage in England’s first Test summer under new coach Peter Moores.

The Hampshire batsman stayed nearly four hours for his 101 and frustrated India in their efforts to run through their hosts as they sought to seal a 2-0 margin in what was nonetheless their first victory on English soil since 1986.

Pietersen’s innings did not carry the same significance as his century on the same ground two years ago - when his belligerent 158 denied Australia victory and secured the return of the Ashes after an 18-year wait - but it was still vital to England’s bid to finish their summer Test commitments with a performance of note.

Already resigned to the end of an unbeaten home Test series run stretching back to 2001 when they resumed the final day on 56 without loss chasing an unlikely victory target of 500, England closed on 369 for six.

Their objective was always to avoid defeat - and that was underlined by the manner in which openers Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook approached the early stages of the final day.

Clearly not tempted by the prospect of breaking the world record of 418 for seven set by West Indies against Australia three years ago as the highest successful fourth-innings run-chase, England set out to frustrate India’s attack.

Shanta Sreesanth savours the wicket of Michael Vaughan, who made 42 © Getty Images

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It was a tactic which worked until midway through the morning session, when both openers fell in the space of 14 balls to leave England nervously considering the situation throughout the remainder of the day.

Strauss fell to left-arm seamer RP Singh’s fourth ball of the day, attempting to force off the back foot without moving his feet and edging to VVS Laxman at first slip.

Cook then fell for the trap sprung by India captain Rahul Dravid, who succeeded where he had failed twice in the first innings when the Essex left-hander was dropped at leg slip.

This time, Cook tried to work Anil Kumble off his legs and was caught in the identical position low by Laxman.

England had their share of luck, with Michael Vaughan dropped by opposite number Dravid at slip on 18 five overs before lunch - an error which proved costly, with the home captain batting for a further 16 overs before finally falling for 42.

Vaughan fell victim to a break in concentration shortly a 10-minute break for bad light in mid-afternoon, edging seamer Shantha Sreesanth behind off the back foot.

His departure placed the responsibility for guiding England to safety on Pietersen, who refused to let the match situation inhibit his natural style.

He drove a Sachin Tendulkar full toss down the ground first ball, and made light of a spat with Kumble, who bumped into Pietersen as he attempted to field the ball off his own bowling, to reach a magnificent hundred.

He hit Sreesanth through mid-wicket - his 18th four - to go to three figures, his efforts having all but ended India’s hopes of victory.

However, the second new ball lifted the tourists once again, with Paul Collingwood falling lbw to Sreesanth’s first delivery with it and Pietersen edging the same bowler to first slip four balls after registering his ton.

Ian Bell seemed to have taken the match away from India once again by hitting a stylish 67 off 62 balls, but when he was lbw sweeping Kumble with just 4.5 overs remaining, England’s nerves would have been on edge.

Fortunately, Matt Prior came through his test of character - having made a duck in the first innings and suffered criticism for his wicket-keeping - to steer England to safety.

Normally an attacking batsman, he denied India for 93 minutes in making a resolute unbeaten 12 before stumps were drawn.