The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : `Pietersen on road to greatness'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Sport

Sport - Cricket

`Pietersen on road to greatness'

London: Still in awe of Kevin Pietersen's powerful strokeplay during his 142-run innings against Sri Lanka, England stand-in skipper Andrew Flintoff said the flamboyant batsman is an exceptional talent, whose name will be taken alongside Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara in the near future. "I've not seen anything like it. He is one of the most talented players I have ever encountered. It'll be exciting to watch and play with Kevin over the next few years and see how his career unfolds. Hopefully people will be talking about him in the same breath as Lara or Tendulkar," Freddie was quoted as saying in the Daily Telegraph.

The swashbuckling right-hander was in deadly form as he dispatched the Lankan bowlers all over the ground to score a breezy 142 off 157 balls.

"It was an innings that won't be repeated — at least, not until he plays another one," Flintoff said, adding, "At times, I was sitting there with my mouth open, thinking how has he done that?"

Flintoff thanked the aggressive batsman for England's six-wicket win.

"The difference between the teams was KP's knock," Flintoff told BBC Sport on Monday adding, "whoever saw it witnessed something special, who knows how good he can be?"

Pietersen's effort saw him jump seven places in the latest ICC Test rankings to the 10th spot, which is also his position in the ODI rankings. — UNI

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