Image gallery
Kevin Pietersen through the lens
Kevin Pietersen has emerged as a major figure in the England top-order and in world cricket over the last few years.•Getty Images
Pietersen celebrates his maiden one-day century against South Africa at Bloemfontein, February 2, 2005. The crowd turned their backs on him after this innings. "It was such a release of pressure. This was very special": Pietersen later wrote.•Getty Images
Pietersen celebrates England's win against Australia in the ODI at Bristol. Pietersen scored a pulsating undefeated 91 from 65 balls to guide England to an unlikely victory, and in doing so booked his place in the Test team for that summer's Ashes.•Getty Images
A job well done - Pietersen returns at the end of his 158 at the Oval, safe in the knowledge that England would retain the Ashes. "I showed today that I am not just a glamour boy".•Getty Images
Makhaya Ntini and Pietersen bond over hairstyles while playing for the World XI against Australia in October 2005. •William West/AFP
Pietersen cools off in hot and humid conditions in Kochi during the ODI between England and India.•Getty Images
Pietersen launches one over the off-side for six to guide England to victory against the West Indies in the ICC Champions Trophy, October 2006. It was a disappointing tournament for England as they crashed out in the group stages but a welcome return to form for Pietersen ahead of the winter's Ashes series.•AFP
Pietersen showcased his talent during a highly succesful tour of India for England A in 2003-04. Pietersen averaged over 100 on the tour scoring three centuries and a 94 while the other batsmen struggled.•Getty Images
Pietersen lifts a ball for six over midwicket during his third century of the ODI series with South Africa at Centurion, February 13, 2005. The series was a remarkable introduction to international cricket for Pietersen as he scored three centuries in seven ODI's, and 454 runs in total at 151.33.•Getty Images
Pietersen smashes Brett Lee for six on his Test debut at Lord's. Pietersen scored a half-century in each innings and became only the fourth England player to top-score in both innings on Test debut.•Getty Images
The battle is over- Pietersen and Shane Warne share a beer after Pietersen's 158 and England's Ashes victory. Shane Warne said of the innings: "That innings made KP believe that he was good enough at this level".•Getty Images
Pietersen's powerful wrists are a feature of his batting, here he flicks through midwicket against India at Mohali in February 2006.•Tom Shaw/Getty Images
Pietersen is constantly in demand from the media, here he answers questions from reporters in New Delhi during the ICC Champions Trophy in 2006.•AFP
Pietersen recieves a standing ovation from the South African crowd at Centurion, a remarkable turn around after the hostility he had recieved earlier in the series. "This was my best of the three hundreds on the tour. As the crowd finally accepted me my head was a whirl of emotions".•Getty Images
Brett Lee gives Pietersen a working-over before lunch on the final day at the Oval in the decisive Test of the 2005 Ashes. Pietersen survived, and went on to smash Lee to all parts on the way to 158 and safety for England. Andrew Flintoff later said: "We witnessed one of the great innings today".•Getty Images
Michael Vaughan holds the urn while Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff lark about in England's victory parade after the Ashes success.•Getty Images
Pietersen showcases his special slog-sweep in a tour-match in India in February 2006. The shot has helped him to dominate against spinners during his Test career.•Ben Radford/Getty Images
Pietersen celebrates his fourth Test century against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston. His 142 made him the first player since Graham Gooch in 1990 to score three hundreds in consecutive innings on home soil.•Getty Images