One man looking forward while another looks back

The Observer’s Emma John meets Kevin Pietersen and discovers a vastly different man from the all-conquering peacock that had just returned from scoring three hundreds in five one-day matches in South Africa in 2005.

Is he happy to accept a lower profile himself? "So what, I'm just part of the team now, is that what you mean? Yeah, I don't mind, whatever, as long as I'm playing for England I'm not really too fussed. Just playing with a team that can compete is going to be great." If he sounds low-key, that is the new KP. In the past, touring Australia would seem "quite a daunting thing" but now "it's just a game of cricket". He exhales, and starts to sound alarmingly laid-back. "People make things out to be things that they're not. That's one thing that's helped me in my career – not making things bigger than what they are."

Meanwhile Pietersen’s old team-mate Steve Harmison, a man responsible for a savage opening over in the 2005 Ashes series but infamous for his shocking series-opening blooper in Brisbane four years ago has been talking to Peter Hayter in the Sunday Mail about that delivery and England’s chances this time round.

“Was it the worst ball I ever bowled in Test cricket?” he said last week. “I think it was probably the worst ball anyone has ever bowled in Test cricket! I won't sugar-coat it, or say it looked worse than it was or offer excuses. It was atrocious. All I wanted to happen was for a big hole to open up in the ground and for me to jump in it and disappear.”

“Jimmy is one of the best bowlers in world cricket now and a highly intelligent operator,” said Harmison. “People have raised the issue of how he will fare with the Kookaburra ball, and his record abroad is not as good as it is at home. But the way he swings the new ball both ways at pace, I'm backing him to have a big impact with the new ball. In fact, I think our attack is superior to theirs all round and the main reason I think England will win comfortably.”