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Pietersen marks first Test as captain with century

08/08/2008

Kevin Pietersen scored his first century as England captain as the hosts looked to secure a commanding lead against South Africa on the second day of the final Test.

England were all out for 316 at the Oval, having bowled the tourists out for 194.

Later in the evening South Africa's second innings got off to the worst possible start when captain Graeme Smith went for a duck after a perfect in-swinging deliver from James Anderson.

The tourists closed on 37-1 with Hashim Amla (26) and Neil McKenzie (9) at the crease.

Pietersen's ton, his 14th in the Test arena, was followed two balls later by his dismissal as Makhaya Ntini claimed his fourth wicket of England's innings.

The 28-year-old was caught at slip by Jacques Kallis just moments after basking in the adulation of the Oval crowd.

England were 219-4 when Pietersen departed, with century partner Paul Collingwood going on to make 61 before hitting Kallis up in the air to be caught by the bowler himself.

Either side of Collingwood's dismissal the wickets fell easily for the Proteas, with Andrew Flintoff, Tim Ambrose and Stuart Broad scoring just 14 runs between them.

The star of England's tail-end was recalled paceman Steve Harmison, who traumatised Ntini with eight fours and a 49 not-out.

But the Durham man was denied a half century when Monty Panesar emerged from the pavilion only to be run-out without hitting a ball.

Earlier Ntini had sent Ian Bell (24) and Alastair Cook to the pavilion after a rain-delayed start at the Oval.

Pietersen's England resumed at 49-1 after last night's late dismissal of Andrew Strauss (6), but Cook and Bell added just one each before the latter was caught at slip by Smith.

Cook was on 39 when he later edged to Mark Boucher off Ntini as England were left to rue poor decision-making again.

Ntini and Kallis were the pick of the South African attack with 5-94 and 3-51 respectively.