England dig deep for Pietersen

By Simon Mann BBC Sport in Bloemfontein

A tie must have felt like a defeat for South Africa.

Their failure to score the three runs they needed off the last six balls was indicative of the pressure they are feeling after a dreadful run in one-day cricket.

Pietersen is certain to play Test cricket - the question is when

Even Bangladesh would have expected to beat Australia from such a promising position. That is the magnitude of South Africa's failure.

Jacques Kallis and Herschelle Gibbs could have taken a few more chances as their third wicket partnership developed but South Africa looked to have timed their run chase adequately.

Marcus Trescothick, captaining England in place of Michael Vaughan who was ill, gambled by leaving the inexperienced Kabir Ali to bowl the last over.

It looked a mistake when his first delivery was a nervous high full toss - signalled as a no ball - that was swatted for four by Mark Boucher.

Kabir responded by bowling the over of his life. He restricted Shaun Pollock to two singles while three batsmen were dismissed.

In any case, Kevin Pietersen did not deserve to finish on the losing side.

In reaching three figures he managed what Michael Vaughan has failed to do in his 62 one-day internationals.

It is no wonder the selectors were desperate to find a place for him.

He is certain to play Test cricket. The question is when.

Graham Thorpe's expected international retirement at the end of the summer opens the way for Pietersen's inclusion in Pakistan next winter.

It could happen earlier. Australia have made a habit of undermining establised batsmen during a long series.

It will be no surprise to see Pietersen get his chance against them as long as his form in the preceding one-day series is convincing.

Collingwood's 40 was crucial to England's cause

Hitting the ball hard with plenty of bottom hand, Pietersen played the perfect one-day innings.

He was circumspect at the start following the loss of three quick wickets - his first 19 runs included 15 singles and two twos.

Then he gradually accelerated and, importantly, he saw it through it to the end.

The Bloemfontein crowd seemed indifferent to him throughout. There was only a mild bout of booing when he came to the crease and modest applause when he reached his century.

It was only in the last 15 overs that England released the pressure exerted by some tidy bowling and committed fielding by the South Africans.

Paul Collingwood's contribution was crucial.

Another quick wicket after Vaughan's run out and England's innings might have fallen away. Instead 92 were added with Pietersen in 13 overs.

Collingwood, drinks carrier and occasional substitute fielder during the Test match series, is an integral member of the one-day team.

His tight bowling spell went almost unnoticed. Without it though, England would have lost comfortably.