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Pietersen ton puts England in control against South Africa

10/07/2008

Kevin Pietersen smashed a majestic century as England took control against South Africa in the first Test at Lords finishing the first day on 309/3.

South African born Pietersen was playing his first Test match against the Proteas and showed no signs of any nerves as he powered his way to 104 not out.

The 27-year-old shared in an unbroken fourth wicket stand of 192 with Ian Bell who made a welcome return to form hitting 75 not out.

Earlier in the day, Graeme Smith won the toss for South Africa and decided to bowl first to take any advantage his team might get from the torrential rain that hit London yesterday.

But unfortunately for Smith and South Africa the pitch offered very little assistance as there was no pace in the pitch nor was there any swing.

England comfortably went along with openers Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook playing nicely.

The pair put on a century stand before Strauss was unluckily given out lbw on 44. TV replays showed the ball from Morne Morkel which got Strauss out pitched outside leg-stump.

Cook then got an absolute peach of a delivery from Morkel which bounced of the pitch and hit him on the handle bar and AB de Villiers took the catch.

England were in real trouble when Dale Steyn bowled Michael Vaughan with an almost unplayable ball which swung late and crashed into the stumps to leave England 117/3.

But that was the best it got for South Africa as Pietersen and Bell dominated for the rest of the day.

Pietersen, who was almost run out on 0 after he took a suicidal single which missed the stumps by a matter of centimetres, was in dominant form hitting 13 fours and a six to score a memorable century.