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Pietersen challenges England to complete whitewash

29/08/2008

Kevin Pietersen has urged his side to crush South Africa 5-0 after victory in the third one-day international.

England take a 3-0 series lead after a comfortable 126-run win at the Oval.

The home side posted 296-7 after an unbeaten 78 from all-rounder Andrew Flintoff. Ian Bell (78) earlier put on a century stand with Matt Prior (33), the first time in three years that England have put on an opening partnership of more than 100 runs.

In reply, the Proteas were skittled out for 170 with Samit Patel finishing with 5-41, the first England spinner to take a five-wicket haul in nearly seven years.

Pietersen, who has won all three ODI’s since taking over as captain, challenged his side to maintain their level of performance in Sunday’s match at Lord’s.

"We've come in (to the series) as underdogs for sure but we've hit our straps in every department," Pietersen said.

"I'm a very privileged person. The blokes in the dressing room have done an amazing job.

“But we want to improve and we want to try to win it 5-0 if we can.
"I want the guys to enjoy this victory and turn up on Sunday ready to go 4-0 up. We need to carry on and keep going."

England will leap into second place in the one-day rankings if they whitewash the tourists.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s stand-in skipper Jacques Kallis admits his side need a vast improvement to prevent further humiliation.

"We're not playing good cricket but England are playing unreal cricket, they're one of the better one-day sides and they're outplaying us in all departments,” Kallis said.

"We've lost a few key players, but the guys who are there now are not performing to the level they need to. We lost the game in the first 10-15 overs today and put ourselves under pressure.

"Were not firing on all cylinders and it's hard times for us at the moment."