Kevin Pietersen

In 2000, Nottinghamshire coach Clive Rice, who had seen Pietersen play in 1997 in South Africa at a schools week, heard that Pietersen was playing club cricket in Birmingham and offered him a three-year contract to play for the county in England. In his first season he made 1,275 runs with an impressive batting average of 57.95, including 218 not out in an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 352 with John Morris at Derby in July 2000.

Pietersen made his international debut with the England national team in the year 2004-05 against Zimbabwe. In the One day International series which comprised of five matches Pietersen got an opportunity to bat in three innings in which he had an average of 104 which included a score of 77 not out and finally the series was won by England with a score of 4-0.

At Bloemfontein in the second One day International Pietersen faced 96 deliveries and scored 109 not out. Due to this score his One day average became 234 which was an unbelievable record. At Cape Town he scored 75. At East London he faced 69 deliveries and scored 100 not out. This was the fastest century by any English player in a One day International. However England lost this match by 8 runs. At Centurion Park the last game was played and the score was 32 for 3 when Pietersen came to bat and he scored 116 but was unsuccessful in avoiding a defeat. Although this series was lost by England by a score of 4-1 Pietersen accumulated 454 runs in 5 innings and was awarded the Player of the Series.

Career Highlights

Kevin was awarded the Emerging Player of the Year award in 2005. He was one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the year 2005.