Pietersen backs Shah to shine

Updated 09.59 Mon Sep 01 2008
Keywords: england v south africa fourth one-day international, fourth one-day international, england cricket, south africa cricket, kevin pietersen, sport, cricket, owais shah

Kevin Pietersen believes Owais Shah can become England's regular number three batsman.

Andrew Flintoff may have been named man of the match following England seven-wicket victory over South Africa in the fourth one-day international at Lord's but Shah's performance may prove more significant.

"I knew he was going to come good" - Kevin Pietersen

The Middlesex batsman was promoted from the middle order and scored an unbeaten 44.

Pietersen said: "You give a guy confidence, and he knows he can come in and play his way and he's going to be backed.

"I knew he was going to come good. He knew I had the confidence in him, and so did the players, and his county stats prove in first-class cricket he's a great player.

"He deserved a go at three. He's played some fantastic shots, and the way he was talking when I was batting with him was a really good sign of things to come."

© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.