Kevin more than a show pony

2005-09-12 20:15

London - Self-belief played a huge part in England regaining the Ashes after 18 years said their captain Michael Vaughan after his side had drawn the fifth and final Test here on Monday.

The draw gave England a 2-1 victory in the series - with South African-born batsman Kevin Pietersen their hero on the final day as he scored his maiden Test century, a stunning 158 which earned him the man of the match award.

Vaughan praised Pietersen - playing just his fifth Test match - but also the rest of the team.

"Kevin Pietersen was outstanding, but there have been a load of individual performances throughout the summer.

"It has been a hell of a lot of hard work but they believed in themselves and they expressed themselves out on the pitch."

Pietersen said he had missed out a couple of times earlier in the series but had stepped up to the plate when really needed.

"It is fantastic. The boys have been amazing I'm speechless really and the last two months have been fantastic."

Pietersen said that the comments about his diamond earrings had annoyed him in the past week but he had shown those critics that he was more than just a show pony.

"Wearing the earrings its not going to make me cover drive any differently. I showed today that I am not just a glamour boy.

"Its amazing to have my mum and brother sitting up there. It is just special."

His fellow South African-born teammate Andrew Strauss said it had been a rollercoaster few months.

Everyone has contributed

"It has been seven weeks of emotional turmoil.

"I am proud to be part of this team.

"Everyone has contributed this season. It makes you proud to be representing your country.

"We have just been on the very edge of our nerves all summer. It was a great privilege to watch Kevin today."

England's man of the series Andrew Flintoff said Pietersen's innings had been truly wonderful.

"We witnessed one of the great innings today.

"His support from Ashley Giles (who made 59) epitomised what this side is about.

"Everyone in the dressing room plays a part from the captain to the coach. We go out there and play as a unit."

England coach Duncan Fletcher said that the seeds for the series victory had been sewn three years ago.

"It has taken a long time but I would date it back three to four years when I spotted some good young players who could play for England.

"We have to keep on improving if we are to keep winning."

Warne - Australia's man of the series - said it had been well deserved.

"England were better than us it is as simple as that.

"We had a great battle but we were never as good as England throughout the series."

Australian captain Ricky Ponting also admitted that England had been the better side.

"Apart from when we won at Lord's (first Test) we were never as good as England and they deserve to win the Ashes."

- SAPA