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England captain Kevin Pietersen has warned his side not to rest on their laurels following Friday’s 20-run win over South Africa at Headingley.

Pietersen, who replaced Michael Vaughan as skipper three weeks ago, inspired his side with 90 not out and two wickets. But he has told them not to get ahead of themselves prior to Tuesday’s second one-dayer in Nottingham.

“We start every series well. We always win the first game and then we mess the next four up,” Pietersen said.

“The key to tonight’s win is to make sure we focus on Tuesday and turn up with the same energy and same buzz. I am captain who wants my players to be confident and play without fear and do a proper decent job — that’s what I do — all my life I have been doing that and I think it is rubbing off on some of the lads,” he said.

“Things are working at the moment and it is down to the way the guys have reacted over the last two weeks. It was a real turn up for the books that Michael did what he did but that was right for Michael,” he explained.

“But it is hats off to the lads — they have shown such energy and passion — the dressing room is such a happy place and that is because we are winning,” said Pietersen.

“There are areas we need to work on and there are some real positives happening in English cricket at the moment,” he added.

One of the positives has been the re-emergence of Steve Harmison on the Test and one-day scene. Friday’s game was his first one-dayer for nearly two years and he responded with two wickets.

And Harmison’s resurgence could see him play in the 20 million-dollar Stanford match in the West Indies in November.

“I could not have asked for more from Steve. My relationship with him is as strong as anything and he is a happy, happy man. He is a superstar as well. This is the stage he belongs on,” he said.

“Steve wants to play for England and play on the bigger stage and that is where he is performing at the moment,” he explained.

“He is one of the best bowlers in the world and if he keeps bowling the way he is now there is every chance that he will be performing in Antigua for England,” he added.

Source:Cricket News

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