Pietersen shows his stuff

Cricket: Kevin Pietersen made the first telling contribution of an international career which is expected to flourish as England completed another comprehensive victory over Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club yesterday.

Ever since South African-born Pietersen first began his qualification period for England at Nottinghamshire, great things have been expected of a batsman who averaged over 50 during his four-year stay at Trent Bridge and over 40 in domestic one-day cricket.

His undoubted talent was not immediately evident during his debut on Sunday when he hit a nervy 27, including the winning runs, to help England secure a comfortable five-wicket triumph.

But yesterday England's faith in Pietersen was rewarded when he delivered a superb innings to propel them away from a tricky situation and help them reach a commanding 263 for six, a display which sapped the belief from Zimbabwe's young side and they slumped to 102 all out in only 36 overs.

Pietersen's brilliant 77 in the 161-run victory came off only 76 balls and included four fours and three sixes. It was all the more impressive as England had slumped to 121 for five and were in danger of becoming the first side to lose against Zimbabwe since April.

In India, Harbhajan Singh produced a brilliant spell of spin bowling to rip out four of South Africa's top-order and leave India within sight of victory in the second Test in Kolkata.

Harbhajan dismissed Andrew Hall, Jacques Rudolph, Hashim Amla and Graeme Smith either side of tea before Anil Kumble sent back Boeta Dippenaar as South Africa closed day four in some trouble on 172 for five - a lead of only 66.

Harbhajan ended the day with figures of four for 58 off 22 overs.

India captain Saurav Ganguly was fined 30 per cent of his match fee for showing dissent. Ganguly showed his disapproval after an appeal for a bat-pad catch against Jacques Kallis was turned down by umpire Daryl Harper. Television replays suggested that Kallis had nicked the ball.