2008 - Reaches a personal landmark with a hundred against his native South Africa, at Lord's, with a patriotic English crowd keenly aware of the moment. Declares never to have been "so loved".

2007 - Raises his game to a new level, crunching four hundreds in the summer - two each against West Indies and India, including a memorable 134 at Lord's out of England's 282. When England toured Sri Lanka, Pietersen passed 3,000 Test runs during the series, becoming the fastest player (by time) to do so.

2006 - Scores 158 and 142 in first two Test's of summer v SL to become first batsman to score tons in 3 consecutive innings on home soil since Graham Gooch did in 1990. Enters top ten in world rankings.

2005, Sep - Dropped twice before he reaches 10 but goes on to score a breathtakingly bold 158 in the 5th Test at the Oval to help England reclaim the Ashes. Named Man-of-the-Match and is highest run-scorer in series with 473 at 52.55.

2005 - Pietersen makes his debut on July 21 at Lords' against Australia. Scores 57 and 64 as England lose, even as he is the highest scorer in both English innings.

2009 - Quits captaincy after just 3 Tests having won 1, lost 1 and drawn 1, after a falling out with coach Moores who is also sacked by the ECB. Starts well under Strauss' captaincy in England's tour of the WI.

2008 - His 'switch hit' creates a controversy through as people debate the legality of the shot. The MCC maintains there is no law against this shot. In August he is named England captain in place of Michael Vaughan.

2008 - Reaches a personal landmark with a hundred against his native South Africa, at Lord's, with a patriotic English crowd keenly aware of the moment. Declares never to have been "so loved".

2007 - Raises his game to a new level, crunching four hundreds in the summer - two each against West Indies and India, including a memorable 134 at Lord's out of England's 282. When England toured Sri Lanka, Pietersen passed 3,000 Test runs during the series, becoming the fastest player (by time) to do so.

2006 - Scores 158 and 142 in first two Test's of summer v SL to become first batsman to score tons in 3 consecutive innings on home soil since Graham Gooch did in 1990. Enters top ten in world rankings.

2005, Sep - Dropped twice before he reaches 10 but goes on to score a breathtakingly bold 158 in the 5th Test at the Oval to help England reclaim the Ashes. Named Man-of-the-Match and is highest run-scorer in series with 473 at 52.55.

2005 - Pietersen makes his debut on July 21 at Lords' against Australia. Scores 57 and 64 as England lose, even as he is the highest scorer in both English innings.