Final Test: Jaded England need Pietersen's leading edge

Skipper faces tough choices on and off field as weather frustrates efforts to dismiss South Africa. By Stephen Brenkley at The Oval Sunday, 10 August 2008 It is much too early to tell how England might fare under their new management. But so much is expected of Kevin Pietersen, so many opinions have already been expressed about how it will end (in tears is the odds-on favourite despite the total lack of supporting evidence) that premature judgement is almost obligatory. The third day of his coming – it feels like a coming more than an appointment – was the least satisfactory so far. It had no chance, of course. On the first day, South Africa were bowled out for 194 and Pietersen seemed like a miracle worker who barely had to lay on his hands. On the second, he scored a hundred, only the third man to do so in his maiden... [read full story]