Pietersen happy with team effort

Kevin Pietersen collects the man of the match and player of the series awards today

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New England captain Kevin Pietersen admitted he could not have asked for a better beginning to his reign as the hosts claimed a consolation victory over South Africa in the final npower Test.

England scored one more than the 197 runs they needed to beat South Africa at the Brit Oval today for the loss of four wickets, thanks largely to an opening stand of 123 between Andrew Strauss (58) and Alastair Cook (67).

Pietersen was voted his team’s man of the match and series but insisted England’s victory, which rounded off a 2-1 series defeat, was a collective effort.

“It’s been a great few days for the side after all the commotion (over his appointment as captain after Michael Vaughan’s resignation),” he said.

“The boys pulled together. We had a chat and said how we wanted to play this fixture and I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”

Pietersen admitted the tourists were good value for their series victory - their first in England since being readmitted by the International Cricket Council.

“South Africa played some real good cricket - 2-1 is pretty right,” he said.

“At Lord’s we had the upper hand and then South Africa drummed it into us for the next seven or eight days at Headingley and Edgbaston.

“We’ve tried our hardest but at the start of this new era, I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Pietersen also hailed the impact of Steve Harmison, who returned to the side and looked close to his devastating best as part of a five-man attack.

He said: “The big man had a fantastic game - I would rather have seen him get man of the match for this fixture.”

Of the reversion to a five-pronged bowling unit, the captain added: “It was a positive, aggressive move.

South Africa have waited a long time to win in England, according to captain Graeme Smith

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“With Australia here next year it’s definitely the way me and (coach Peter) Moores want to play our cricket.”

South Africa skipper Graeme Smith was named his team’s man of the series and was delighted with a landmark overall victory.

“We went slightly off the boil but you have to give credit to England - they had a lot of motivation and a lot to prove,” he said.

“We’ve waited a long time for this moment. We came with a goal of winning the series and I’m really chuffed to have done that.

“From where we started the series to where we ended at Edgbaston, I think we came a long way.

“I’m really proud of the guys because it’s been a real collective effort.”

Opener Alastair Cook said he was disappointed not to make a century during the series.

Despite clocking up 327 runs, Cook failed to reach three figures in his seven innings.

“My performance has been persistent without going on to get that hundred,” Cook said.

“I’m happy that I got four fifties but disappointed I didn’t go on to get that big score. After all, hundreds win matches.

“I don’t think I have been at my best this series but that's what happens when a few things creep into your game. To score 300 runs and not be at your best is encouraging for me though.”

When asked what he thought about his progress, Cook said: “As a batsman you always want to better yourself and you’re never happy.

“Sometimes runs just don’t come. I’ll just keep working as hard as I can then all the runs will come.”