Ponting tips Pietersen as next superstar

Ricky Ponting has given Kevin Pietersen a huge boost on the eve of the Ashes by saying he could be the game's next superstar. Ponting, who is not known for pumping up the opposition, made the claim in his upcoming Captain's Diary and also said Pietersen was in a group of batsmen alongside Virender Sehwag and Adam Gilchrist who "play without fear".

"In my view the biggest danger man could be Pietersen, who might even develop into the next superstar of world cricket," Ponting wrote. "Potentially he's that good.

"Pietersen is the one who is a standout at the moment. His technique, although it looks a bit different, has stood up very well at international level."

Pietersen made his Test debut in the 2005 Ashes and was a constant threat as he compiled 473 runs at 52.55. He finished the series with 158 at The Oval, which was an innings that shut the door on Australia's chances of levelling the contest. Ponting will have another close-up view of Pietersen on Saturday when the teams play in the Champions Trophy in Jaipur.