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Pietersen revels in "new shot" against Black Caps

16/06/2008

England batsman Kevin Pietersen believes he has created a "new shot" for the game of cricket after blasting his way to a maiden one-day international century on home soil.

The South African-born middle-order star hit a superb 110 not out from just 112 balls in a 114-run victory over New Zealand at Old Trafford yesterday.

And the feature moment of the right-hander's innings came when he hit two sixes off the bowling of Daniel Vettori by reversing his bat to a left-handed grip and sweeping the ball over the off-side field.

"Everybody wants brand new ideas, new inventions and that's a new shot," he claimed.

"Nobody has seen it before."

Some critics have lambasted Pietersen for the use of the unorthodox grip, saying it is not within the spirit of the rules of the game.

However, the outspoken 27-year-old has continued to argue his corner - saying he is prepared to try anything if it means it helps his side to win games.

He continued: "Reverse sweeps have been part of the game for however long, I am just fortunate that I can hit it a bit further.

"We were in a position where I needed to push the accelerator and it worked.

"On others it might not but the most important thing is a convincing England victory."