Now KP’S life is tonderful!
ENGLAND v PAKISTAN Fourth ODI
Daily Sport Tip: KEVIN PIETERSEN’S second successive ODI hundred steered England to a fourwicket win and 4-0 series whitewash.
Pietersen, without an ODI century for more than three years before his unbeaten 111 four days ago, repeated the dose for a career-best 130 in another run chase under lights.
The outcome was in doubt for much longer this time after a rare failure from Alastair Cook immediately put England’s pursuit of 237 all out on the back foot.
Drubbing
But Pietersen was in control throughout his 153-ball innings, which contained 12 fours and two sixes, as England got the job done with four balls to spare in Dubai.
He established a scoring rate that kept England ahead of the game, even from a precarious 68 for four after 16 overs.
The highlight was a fifth-wicket stand of 109 with Craig Kieswetter.
The whitewash was compensation of sorts for the 3-0 Test series drubbing inflicted on them by Pakistan.
Pietersen revelled in the win and revealed he always felt England’s batsmen would come good after their disappointing performances in the Test series.
He said: “Four-nil is a pretty special end to a good series for us. It’s great for the team.
“The way the guys train, the way we tried to turn things around between the second and third Test, the batters were going to come into form.
“The cycle of life has it that you can’t always be good but you’ll come good at some stage.”
Asked about his role as an opener, Pietersen said: “It is new. I’ve been lucky in a couple of games but I enjoyed this evening, the calmness of the chase.”
Jade Dernbach was the pick of England’s bowlers with four for 45.