Kevin Pietersen's Top Five Test Innings
The decision to axe Kevin Pietersen from the England team has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world.
While many have agreed that he can be a devise and controversial figure, there is no denying his talent and blockbuster value.
Pietersen’s exit has been met with a degree of hostility from fans and the media, with both parties annoyed at the lack of transparency surrounding the decision.
In this article Sports Gazette looks at Pietersen’s top five test performances for England and what they will be missing out on in the future.
5. 151 v Sri Lanka, 2nd Test, Colombo 2012
Prior to this performance Pietersen was struggling for form in the subcontinent, scoring only 100 runs in his last eight innings there. Those 100 runs had come from when 259 balls, uncharacteristically slow for him.
In this test, he rekindled the form everyone knew he was capable of, smashing 151 off 165 deliveries.
Renowned for their spin bowlers, the Sri Lankans were for once given the treatment, as Pietersen smashed they all around the ground in show-stopping style.
4. 113 v Australia, 3rd Test, Old Trafford, 2013
It turned out to be the last time we saw Pietersen score a test hundred for England and oddly enough it was not done in his usual way.
Lauded and sometimes criticised for his aggressive style, Pietersen demonstrated that he can dig in and occupy the crease.
England’s top order had crumbled and the Australians were beginning to believe they could get back into the series. However, Pietersen’s saw out 70 overs and scored a ton to secure a priceless draw.
3. 227 v Australia, 2nd Test, Adelaide, 2010
England had been destroyed in their last visit to Australia in 2006/2007, Pietersen himself was also suffering a dip in form and had not scored a test hundred for over 600 days.
When he has a point to prove Pietersen is arguably at his best and this knock in Adelaide was batting of the highest order.
Pietersen began the innings by slowly going through gears before exploding and producing one of his greatest innings of all time - a masterclass.
2. 186 v India, 2nd Test, Mumbai, 2012
This innings is regarded by many as one of the greatest batting performances of all time. After a shocking display in Ahmedabad, England needed to respond.
True to form, Pietersen stood firm and sparkled as England fought their way back into the series.
Pietersen hit boundary after boundary as he took apart the Indian bowling attack. After the whole ‘textgate’ scandal, it was a welcome reminder to everyone about why he was brought back.
1. 158 v Australia, 5th Test, The Oval, 2005
Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Pietersen’s selection for the amazing 2005 Ashes series raised many eyebrows, mainly because of his diamond earrings and skunk style haircut.
In the 5th test, the great man showed the world what was to come in the next eight years. Pietersen hoiked the likes of Shane Warne and Glen McGrath into the grandstand, unperturbed by their legendary status.
The test ton meant England drew the final test and won the series 2-1, a watershed and monumental moment for English cricket.
