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23:29 GMT, Sunday, 31 August 2008 00:29 UK

Flintoff hails captain Pietersen

Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen

Andrew Flintoff claims captain Kevin Pietersen can take the credit for England's one-day resurgence after yet another victory over South Africa.

The all-rounder took three wickets and scored 31 in another superb display as England won by seven wickets to take a 4-0 series lead with one to play.

But despite Pietersen's claims that "it has nothing to do with me", Flintoff said: "Kevin's being modest, I think.

"The dressing room is different. KP is confident and that rubs off us all."

The 30-year-old added: "We had some great times with (previous captain) Michael (Vaughan), but this dressing room is slightly different.

"As long as we keep working hard, I'm sure we can be a successful team."

However, Pietersen was keen to play down his role as captain, despite the win extending England's run to five matches played, five matches won under the 28-year-old.

"The captaincy is not about me, it's about the players - the really good players that turn up and perform day in day out," he said.

606: DEBATE
"Everyone knows they have the full faith of the man in charge"
Dion

"At the moment we have guys clicking in every single department, we have a few guys playing exceptional cricket and I'm just fortunate enough to be tossing my hands around in the air occasionally.

"I don't want to put pressure on anybody, I just want to say to the guys 'these are the roles we want you to play, now go and play them for six months, nine months, 12 months'. If you give people security and confidence, they will turn up for you.

"The guys aren't talking about their talent - they are chucking their talent around on the cricket field."

Should England now wrap up a 5-0 series win with victory in Cardiff on Wednesday, they would leapfrog South Africa into second in the world one-day rankings.

And Pietersen added: "It would be a huge deal to do that, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Hopefully, that will be at around 2230 BST on Wednesday."



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Related to this story:

England win seals one-day series (29 Aug 08 |  England )
England v SA: 3rd ODI photos (29 Aug 08 |  England )
England surge to 10-wicket rout (26 Aug 08 |  England )
Pietersen inspires England to win (22 Aug 08 |  England )
South Africa in England in 2008 (29 Aug 08 |  Cricket )

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