Published on ShanghaiDaily.com (http://www.shanghaidaily.com/)
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2008/200808/20080805/article_369332.htm
Pietersen appointed England captain
Created: 2008-8-5
KEVIN Pietersen's remarkable career took its latest and arguably most dramatic turn yesterday when he was named England cricket captain.
The South African-born batsman will lead England in test, one-day and Twenty20 matches, starting with the fourth test against South Africa this week.
The appointment came a day after Michael Vaughan's sudden resignation and caps a remarkable rise for the 28-year-old Pietersen, who was viewed as the enfant terrible of English cricket when he made his debut against Australia three years ago.
He has since toned down his outspoken comments - and outrageous haircuts - to become one of the team's most reliable members.
"In choosing a new captain, we were keen to identify a player who could lead the team in all three forms of cricket and bring fresh enthusiasm and ideas to the role of captain," national selector Geoff Miller said. "Kevin is a world-class player who will command the respect of the dressing room and I am sure that he will be looking to lead from the front."
Pietersen, who was born and raised in Pietermaritzburg near Durban but has an English mother, is the eighth-best batsman in the International Cricket Council's rankings and one of the few experienced players guaranteed a place in the side.
He has compiled 13 hundreds and 11 50's to move to 3,777 runs in 42 tests at an impressive average of 50.36.
"I am very thrilled and excited to have been given the opportunity to captain England," Pietersen said. "It's a huge honor for me."
Pietersen has three tons in his past seven tests, including 152 in the series-opening draw against South Africa at Lord's. He got within six runs of another century in the last test at Edgbaston, but could not help England avoid a loss that handed South Africa an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-match series.
It was that loss that prompted Vaughan to end his five-year tenure following a string of poor performances. Vaughan was replaced by Ravi Bopara for the final test.
The South African-born batsman will lead England in test, one-day and Twenty20 matches, starting with the fourth test against South Africa this week.
The appointment came a day after Michael Vaughan's sudden resignation and caps a remarkable rise for the 28-year-old Pietersen, who was viewed as the enfant terrible of English cricket when he made his debut against Australia three years ago.
He has since toned down his outspoken comments - and outrageous haircuts - to become one of the team's most reliable members.
"In choosing a new captain, we were keen to identify a player who could lead the team in all three forms of cricket and bring fresh enthusiasm and ideas to the role of captain," national selector Geoff Miller said. "Kevin is a world-class player who will command the respect of the dressing room and I am sure that he will be looking to lead from the front."
Pietersen, who was born and raised in Pietermaritzburg near Durban but has an English mother, is the eighth-best batsman in the International Cricket Council's rankings and one of the few experienced players guaranteed a place in the side.
He has compiled 13 hundreds and 11 50's to move to 3,777 runs in 42 tests at an impressive average of 50.36.
"I am very thrilled and excited to have been given the opportunity to captain England," Pietersen said. "It's a huge honor for me."
Pietersen has three tons in his past seven tests, including 152 in the series-opening draw against South Africa at Lord's. He got within six runs of another century in the last test at Edgbaston, but could not help England avoid a loss that handed South Africa an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-match series.
It was that loss that prompted Vaughan to end his five-year tenure following a string of poor performances. Vaughan was replaced by Ravi Bopara for the final test.
Agencies
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