Kevin Pietersen, a former captain of England, had a controversial cricket career. The all-rounder is regarded as England’s finest batsman of the modern era despite his conflict with the ECB and England team management.
The veteran accomplished several records throughout his brief cricket career, and his name will be immortalized in the annals of England cricket with golden letters. Let’s take a look at some of Pietersen’s riotous appearances on the world stage as he celebrates his birthday.
158 OFF 187 BALLS, THE OVAL, LONDON, 2005
Pietersen’s young wife The right-Test hander’s century occurred in 2005, the year England finally won the Ashes after an incredible 18-year drought. With a 2-1 series advantage, the home team, England, needed a draw to win the coveted title. As Australian bowlers sprayed fire with the ball on the last day of the legendary match, the Three Lions appeared to be in danger.
Pietersen, though, dashed Australia’s dreams of a drawn Test series conclusion. The Pietermaritzburg native was in top form during that game, smashing Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath, and Shane Warne’s bowling to every corner of the Oval. Due to Pietersen’s aggressive style of play, England ultimately won the Ashes after 18 years with a massive total of 158 in just 187 balls.
227 OFF 308 BALLS, ADELAIDE OVAL, ADELAIDE, 2010
During the second Test of the 2010 Ashes series in Australia, Pietersen once again delivered a brilliant inning. England followed the 245 runs scored by Australia in the second innings of the Test match. Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Trott both lost their wickets early in the game, giving the visitors two setbacks. However, Pietersen performed the best Test knock, so England need not have been concerned.
A whopping 227 runs were scored by the right-hander, including 33 boundaries and one maximum. The visitors won the game by an innings and 71 runs because to KP’s heroics, which enabled them to score 620.
130 OFF 153 BALLS, DUBAI, 2012
In the last One Day International of the four-game series between Pakistan and England in 2012, Peitersen was singing. Pakistan scored 237 runs in total while batting first, according to the scoreboard. In the second innings, Pietersen’s storm, however, completely destroyed them.
Pietersen and captain Alastair Cook scored 130 runs off just 153 deliveries to start the innings. Twelve boundaries and two maximums were part of his knock. England won the match by four wickets thanks to the veteran’s innings.
2012, MUMBAI, 186 OFF 233 BALLS
England was lacking confidence when they played the second Test of the four-match series in Mumbai as they were down by a score of 0-1. However, Pietersen’s superb knock meant that the series was tied.
Pietersen helped the visitors score 413 runs as a response to India’s 327. The middle-order batsman scored 186 runs off 233 balls, showing off his appealing strokeplay. In the match, which the Three Lions won by 10 wickets, Pietersen was named Man of the Match.
2010, BRIDGETOWN, 47 VS AUSTRALIA
England is credited with creating cricket, although it wasn’t until 2010 that they won an ICC title. As it assisted England in winning the championship, Pietersen’s devastation in the 2010 World Cup final will also go down in history as one of the finest T20I performances. When England’s opening batsman Michael Lumb was lost with a score of 2, they were chasing 148.
Pietersen entered in position three, his startling knock changing the flow completely. In just 31 balls, the right-hander scored 47 runs to help his team reach the goal in 17 overs.
Happy Birthday Kevin Pietersen: Top 5 Batting Performances of the Legend
