Welcoming KP

From Alisalman Husain, Pakistan
Captaincy must have seemed very easy to Kevin Pietersen as his first day in charge of the England team coincided with the return of a rejuvenated Stephen Harmison and perfect conditions for swing that were superbly exploited by James Anderson. By the end, England could reflect on probably their best day of the npower series.

The extra pace of Harmison changed the course of the fourth Test match at the Brit Oval, sparking a South Africa collapse from 103 for one to 194 all out with wickets in successive balls after lunch. England then reduced the deficit to 145 for the loss of only Andrew Strauss before close. Even the most mundane captain can be made to look like Mike Brearley if he has top-class bowlers at his disposal and Pietersen, who will never be described as mundane, can take credit for his personal wish not only to have Harmison back in the side, but also to entrust him with the new ball.

A lot of the things that Kevin did went right for him, Harmison said "I thought he did fantastically well and I think a lot of us helped him. He is up for it and enjoying the challenge. He always has ideas and he is always behind us." Pietersen is already guaranteed a happier introduction to captaincy than Vaughan, his predecessor, whose first Test in charge against South Africa in 2003 resulted in an innings defeat at Lord's. On the first day, England were dismissed for 173 and Smith finished on 80 not out on the way to a second double-hundred of the series.