Cricket: Pietersen's Century Takes Breath Away

First it was Australia's genius, Shane Warne, now it is the remarkable Sri Lankan, Muttiah Muralitharan. The two most prolific spinners in Test history are united in the belief that Kevin Pietersen is destined to become the finest batsmen in world cricket.

Murali echoed the praise of Warne, given during last year's Ashes series, after being subjected yesterday to another barnstorming century by England's most flamboyant batsman. "Pietersen played a brilliant innings, one of the best I have seen," he said. "I have played against so many aggressive batsmen - Brian Lara, Inzamam, sometimes Sachin Tendulkar - and I think he is top of the world. He has more power than any other player."

Pietersen's last three Test innings in England have all brought hundreds, his Ashes-winning century against Australia at The Oval last summer now joined by hundreds at Lord's and Edgbaston. His average in Test cricket is above 50 again.

He thrilled a capacity crowd in Birmingham with an unrestrained, often outlandish 142, made from only 157 balls with 20 fours and three sixes. No other batsman has made more than 30 in the match.

His most spectacular shot came moments before he fell leg-before to Muralitharan, a languid reverse sweep for six. South Africa's Jonty Rhodes once reverse-swept Murali for six in a one-day international in Colombo, but it might well be unique in Test history. It was a shot of vaulting ambition and it brought the house down.

"It's not a controlled shot," Pietersen admitted. "It's a naughty shot that you won't see again for a while. People say I pick Murali 90% of the time, but I don't. I have a pretty good reach and because I get so far forward it negates a lot of the spin. Sometimes it looks like I have picked him where, I promise you, I am clueless."

England lead by 68 runs and, after reducing Sri Lanka to 86 for four by the close, they will be confident of wrapping up victory today. Murali conceded that Sri Lanka's chances were slim. "It's turning but I want a lead of at least 150," he said.