Pietersen Earns Place in Famous Five

Kevin Pietersen may be the least English of England's batsmen but yesterday he was celebrating the news that he had been awarded that most English of honours: the title of one of Wisden's five cricketers of the year. Speaking on the eve of the sixth one-day international here against India, he described the accolade as "fantastic. It's nice to know you do get your rewards for being successful on the field".

The award is traditionally based on a player's impact on the previous English summer, but Pietersen made his presence felt throughout 2005. After averaging more than 150 during a 4-1 defeat in a one-day series in his native South Africa, he forced his way into the Ashes side ahead of Graham Thorpe and went on to help secure the urn with a scintillating 158 on the last day of the series at The Oval.

If that innings helped persuade his English critics that a whippy bottom hand and pure aggression could work at Test level, then his renown also spread internationally. The ICC named Pietersen as its one-day and its emerging player of the year, and he won a place in the World XI's one-day squad for the ill-fated Super Series in Australia. His infamous dead-mongoose haircut and a brief liaison with the model Caprice earned front-page coverage too.

But by joining a Wisden hall of fame that includes such meat-and-two-veg Englishmen as WG Grace, Jack Hobbs, Ken Barrington and Ian Botham, Pietersen's ascent into the bosom of the national cricketing establishment is all but complete. "You always wish that one day you get to join this list of players," he said. "It's a great achievement because of how historic and traditional it is."

Pietersen was quick to praise Andrew Flintoff for being named Wisden's leading cricketer in the world, as well as Simon Jones and Matthew Hoggard, who were also among the famous five. But their stories have been of steady rises through the English ranks. Pietersen was born in Pietermaritzburg and qualified for England only after the end of the 2004 season.

"My life changed to being someone I never thought I would become. I've been in the limelight and been followed and every bit of my life has been scrutinised to the millionth degree for the last six to eight months. It's a case of making sure I set an example to everyone who watches me and keeps a specific eye on KP."

The third-person reference is generally a sign that a sportsman shares the high regard others have of him, but part of Pietersen's strength is his ability to mix a God-given talent with the kind of work ethic that does not come naturally to the average county cricketer. "Nothing will ever distract me from cricket," he added. "Nothing will ever, ever, ever, ever keep me away from training hard. My recipe for success will always be hard work."