Pietersen's Intimidation Factor

Today South African fast bowler Makhaya Ntini has said that England have lost the player that most intimidated them - Andrew Flintoff.

Undoubtedly Flintoff played a big part in the 'intimidation factor', and there aren't too many England players on the tour of South Africa who's wrath you would be terrified of facing. Actually, lets be honest, if you look down the players in our test squad they pretty much all look like a bunch of polished, upper-class choir boys.

However, there is one name in that list that stands out, one player who on his day is a match-winner, is lethal: Kevin Pietersen, who averages 49.96 in tests. Something which emphasises this is the reaction of the Australian press when he was ruled out of this year's Ashes:

ENGLAND'S PIETERSEN RULED OUT OF ASHES - Sydney Morning Herald
"The news is a savage blow for England as Pietersen is their most dangerous batsman and is feared by the Australians who recall his flamboyant century at the Oval in 2005 to secure the Ashes."
KEVIN PIETERSEN RULED OUT OF ASHES SERIES - Livenews.com.au
"The complaint had affected Pietersen's form in the opening two Tests but he is still a big loss for England as he has that rare ability to quickly turn a match with his unorthodox ways.
"His absence will help Australia's cause as Ricky Ponting's men try to recover from a 1-0 series deficit with three matches to play following Monday's 115-run loss at Lord's."
ALLAN BORDER SAYS ASHES TOUR GAME IN NORTHAMPTON 'HUGE' FOR AUSTRALIA - Fox Sports
"When he’s at his best, Pietersen’s the best player in the country. He’s off his best at the moment, but he brings confidence to the England set-up. It’s a bit like Australia with Ricky Ponting.
"He might not always be in his best form, but you always want him in your team because he can produce something special out of the blue.
"That’s the kind of player Pietersen is. But England have good players to take his place, like Ian Bell, so I wouldn’t think it would make that much of a difference."

If his amazing ability to turn a game on it's head comes out in South Africa he is easily as intimidating as Freddy. The one test series that Kevin Pietersen has taken part in against South Africa was the Basil D'Oliveira Trophy held in England in 2008 where he averaged 60.14. However as this test series is in South Africa we await to see if playing against such a hostile reception in the country of his birth brings out the best in him.

Andrew Strauss seems to think that it shouldn't matter. "Knowing KP, he will have a massive impact on this series," he said. "It really isn't an issue for us where our players are born. We've got the best 11 players in England out on the field."

If Strauss is correct then Makhaya Ntini, be prepared to eat your words.