Pietersen shows Midas touch again

26 August 2008

Steve Harmison celebrates as England storm towards a thrilling 10-wicket victory

Kevin Pietersen's emphatic start to his reign as England captain reached a new peak today with a 10-wicket thrashing of South Africa at Trent Bridge.

Only England's third such victory margin put them 2-0 up in the NatWest Series and, to make matters worse for the tourists, captain Graeme Smith is an injury doubt for Friday's third match of five.

Stuart Broad claimed a maiden five-wicket haul in one-day internationals to set up the rout, after Smith won the toss, backed up by Andrew Flintoff and Steve Harmison.

South Africa were blitzed in just 23 overs and England openers Matt Prior and Ian Bell rushed to their 84-run target before the floodlights were switched on.

"It was spectacular," said Pietersen, who has three wins in as many outings as captain against South Africa.

"A remarkable victory and one to be enjoyed because to be totally honest we are always on the receiving end of thrashings like that.

"In the four or five years I have played one-day internationals we have not hammered a team as convincingly as that before. There's an energy and a buzz about us."

Broad's spell of 10-3-23-5 from the pavilion end left the South Africa innings in tatters at 53 for seven.

"It is great being a part of this bowling unit," he said after being named man of the match.

Stuart Broad collects his match award after returning sensational figures of 5-23

"You have got the knowledge and experience of Fred and Harmy who are always passing it on and it's thoroughly enjoyable.

"The wicket had some bounce in it from a good length. It didn't have demons in it but the nicks went for us and we took our catches."

Smith, who was spectacularly held as the second of wicketkeeper Prior's six catches, admitted it was his lowest ebb away from a major tournament exit and that he was struggling to marshal a fightback at the Brit Oval on Friday due to a bout of tennis elbow.

"We need to make these decisions," said Smith, of his injury.

"It is reaching the point right now for me - I probably shouldn't have played in this game - where we look to the medical team and see if we can come up with something."

England are firmly in the ascendancy and need to win just one of the final three matches to seal a series success.

But Pietersen said: "I just like to concentrate on what we do and on what we do well.

"At the moment we're turning up for training sessions on form, on time and hammering the training session out.

"The key for us is not for any of us to gob off about anything because we haven't won anything yet.

"Our main goal is to win the series and our team is performing to the level they should be doing."