Five of the best knocks of Kevin Pietersen

4. 91* vs Australia (Natwest Series, Bristol, 2005)

Kevin Pietersen 91* vs Australia

This was a thrilling contest. Australia had put up 252 on the board, thanks to Michael Hussey’s 84 with the bat. England did not start well, and both the openers were back in the hut without scoring much. Collingwood and Andrew Flintoff got starts, but they could not convert. When Pietersen walked in, Vaughan, who had got off to a slow start, was at the crease, and England still required 134 from just over 20 overs.

He completely changed the tone of the England innings. It was as if he didn’t watch any batsman play before him, and while everyone before him had got runs at less than a run a ball, he went ahead and scored 91 not out in just 65 balls. He remained not out as England sealed their win with 3 overs remaining. He started slowly though, taking singles first; Michael Kasprowicz was the first bowler he really attacked, hitting him for a four and a six in the 41st over, both through midwicket. Then came Shane Watson, and then Jason Gillespie, all of whom were subjected to pretty much the similar treatment. England cruised to victory by scoring more than 70 runs from overs 40-47, thanks to some hard hitting by Pietersen.