The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : That was my best: Pietersen

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Tuesday, Jul 24, 2007
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That was my best: Pietersen

Special Correspondent

London: Kevin Pietersen, on Sunday, rated his 134 against India at Lord’s as his best Test century.

“That was right out of the top drawer,” said Pietersen. “I’d probably rate that as No. 1 to be totally honest. The conditions last night (third evening) and this (fourth) morning were as testing as I’ve had them in international cricket, or county cricket for that matter. You could see by my celebrations how happy I was, because that really, really was a difficult day for batting.”

To his credit, Pietersen, who has been criticised in the English media for saying he was burnt out, resisted the urge to act supercilious. “Everyone’s entitled to their own opinions,” he said. “I simply answered a simple question that I was asked last week on my time off, and it got blown up. But I’m as committed to everything. I’ve never ever shied away from anything, I’ve always turned up for England. I’ve never ever asked for a day off, ever. As long as I’m asked to play for England I’ll play for England.”

Contrivance?

Pietersen, however, will always be suspected of contrivance: his arranging to celebrate his century in front of fiancée Jessica Taylor, even refusing a second run before Sreesanth helped it to a boundary, prompted nudges and winks. But, if he continues to play such innings, England can’t help but indulge him.

Monty Panesar’s celebration on dismissing Sachin Tendulkar was as scatty as Pietersen’s was orchestrated.

“Sachin’s his big man, the man he’s looked up to and really, really admired since he was a little boy.” said Pietersen, “so for him to get out the bloke he admires most in this world is fantastic for Monty.

But it was good bowling leading up to that wicket. Full due to him.”

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