26 Jan 2009

Pietersen hits century in first game without captaincy

1:29 pm on 26 January 2009

Kevin Pietersen has smacked a century in his first appearance for England since resigning as captain in the opening match of the West Indies tour.

Pietersen, who quit as captain earlier this month after a public spat with former coach Peter Moores, hit 103 from 107 balls as England reached 424 for eight on day one of the three-day tour match against a St Kitts XI.

Andrew Strauss, the man who replaced Pietersen at the helm, won the toss but was dismissed for a second-ball duck before Pietersen and Owais Shah gave England a healthy start.