Pietersen turns out for Essex 2nds

Pietersen turning out for Essex's 2nds? Well, Kevin's younger brother, Bryan, has been; he made his debut against Middlesex on Tuesday and scored a scratchy 41, his topscore in second XI cricket to date.

KP has been busily setting the world alight, BP has not exactly got hearts racing; in the nine second XI matches he's played in the last five years he has averaged just 11, with a previous best of 29 not out.

And while Kevin's bowling in the Test was something of a revelation for some, Bryan's hasn't been much to shout about: he has an economy rate of 7.3 from his time with Nottinghamshire and Worcestershire - where he picked up just the one wicket at 146.

His latest venture, at Essex, may smack of a PR stunt - and there's been some disgruntlement by some Essex fans on the county's website, some of whom believe that some English players should be given a chance - yet Pietersen earned his chance after he impressed in the recent net sessions. The captain and coach of the seconds, Paul Grayson, added: "Bryan was recommended to the club by a couple of people, including Darren Gough, who saw him play in a couple of charity matches."

This Pietersen plays his club cricket for Chingford in Essex, but whichever level he plays he certainly competes with the family gusto. In a social game a few years ago, Pietersen had plenty of words for the opposition, and had them 17 for 4. As a member of the opposition recalled: "He had an lbw turned down - not surprisingly, as this is the sort of league where lbws are never given - and he went bananas. He was walking out to square leg with the umpire at the end of each over and explaining the rules."