Pietersen power lifts England
Source: Agencies |
May 18, 2010, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CONSISTENCY and confidence were the twin buzzwords in the England camp as it marched to Twenty20 World Cup success and no-one encapsulated those qualities better than Kevin Pietersen.
The South African-born batsman was named Player of the Tournament after his latest display of powerful strokeplay in Sunday's final win over Australia at the Kensington Oval.
Pietersen struck 47 from 31 balls in a devastating second wicket partnership of 111 with Craig Kieswetter, batting with a confidence that bordered on arrogance.
England restricted Australia to 147 for six before knocking off the runs with little trouble for a seven-wicket win to claim its first world title in limited overs cricket.
The only time Pietersen did not make a match-winning contribution for England after the initial, rain-hampered group stage, was in the third Super Eight match against New Zealand when the batsman was at home in England with his wife for the birth of their son.
Pietersen's scores in his last four innings in this tournament have been 73 not out, 53, 42 not out and 47.
"He's a match-winner," said Australia captain Michael Clarke moments after Sunday's final. "He's one of those guys who can take the game away from you on his own.
"His performances in this tournament have been excellent and it's great for the game that he's back in form. He's in a good place off the field as well and is obviously a very happy man at the moment," he said.
England's triumph comes last than a year after it suffered an embarrassing defeat to the Netherlands at Lords in the 2009 World Twenty20. That humiliation must have felt a lifetime away as skipper Paul Collingwood struck the winning runs with 18 balls to spare and his team raced on to the field in scenes of wild celebration.
Collingwood, who helped England win the Ashes in 2005, said the victory was amongst the best he has enjoyed. "It's right up there, its got to be, this is the first World Cup we've ever won," he said. "When you want to be the best you've got to beat the best. When we got them three wickets down early doors, we gave ourselves a great opportunity.
"This is the first (world) trophy we've ever won, we're going to enjoy it, we're going to savor it."
David Hussey's intelligent 59 had helped Australia recover from a dreadful start where it lost its opening three wickets for just eight runs. Australia, the 50 overs World Cup and Champions Trophy holders, was searching for a unique treble of limited overs world titles.
The South African-born batsman was named Player of the Tournament after his latest display of powerful strokeplay in Sunday's final win over Australia at the Kensington Oval.
Pietersen struck 47 from 31 balls in a devastating second wicket partnership of 111 with Craig Kieswetter, batting with a confidence that bordered on arrogance.
England restricted Australia to 147 for six before knocking off the runs with little trouble for a seven-wicket win to claim its first world title in limited overs cricket.
The only time Pietersen did not make a match-winning contribution for England after the initial, rain-hampered group stage, was in the third Super Eight match against New Zealand when the batsman was at home in England with his wife for the birth of their son.
Pietersen's scores in his last four innings in this tournament have been 73 not out, 53, 42 not out and 47.
"He's a match-winner," said Australia captain Michael Clarke moments after Sunday's final. "He's one of those guys who can take the game away from you on his own.
"His performances in this tournament have been excellent and it's great for the game that he's back in form. He's in a good place off the field as well and is obviously a very happy man at the moment," he said.
England's triumph comes last than a year after it suffered an embarrassing defeat to the Netherlands at Lords in the 2009 World Twenty20. That humiliation must have felt a lifetime away as skipper Paul Collingwood struck the winning runs with 18 balls to spare and his team raced on to the field in scenes of wild celebration.
Collingwood, who helped England win the Ashes in 2005, said the victory was amongst the best he has enjoyed. "It's right up there, its got to be, this is the first World Cup we've ever won," he said. "When you want to be the best you've got to beat the best. When we got them three wickets down early doors, we gave ourselves a great opportunity.
"This is the first (world) trophy we've ever won, we're going to enjoy it, we're going to savor it."
David Hussey's intelligent 59 had helped Australia recover from a dreadful start where it lost its opening three wickets for just eight runs. Australia, the 50 overs World Cup and Champions Trophy holders, was searching for a unique treble of limited overs world titles.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
