Pietersen century puts England in charge

Kevin Pietersen hit a century in his first match as captain but England wasted a good chance to put South Africa under pressure on the second day of the fourth and final Test at the Oval.

England were dismissed for 316 just before the close, a lead of 122 over the tourists, although James Anderson then gave the home side a huge boost with the wicket of South Africa captain Graeme Smith in a wonderful first over as South Africa closed on 37-1.

Pietersen leapt high in the air just before tea when he punched Makhaya Ntini midwicket for the boundary which made him only the fourth England captain to make a century in his first match in charge.

But two balls later he steered Ntini to Jacques Kallis at a wide second slip to be out for exactly 100, made off 137 balls with 15 fours.

Although Pietersen looked furious with himself for his lapse in concentration, he and Paul Collingwood had ensured that England went into the lead with plenty of wickets in hand during a fourth wicket partnership of 108 as England went into tea a comfortable 232-4.

However, the tourists fought back after the interval, removing Andrew Flintoff (9) in the first over of the evening session, with wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose (1) and the key wicket of Paul Collingwood following soon after.

Stuart Broad failed to reproduce the heroics of previous Tests this series, becoming Ntini's fifth wicket of the innings when he edged to slip after making just 1.

And it needed Steve Harmison and Anderson to combine in a lusty ninth-wicket stand of 54 to push England's lead beyond 100.

Harmison in particular was in aggressive mood, racing to 49 not out before Anderson was trapped LBW to bring Monty Panesar to the crease.

And before the hapless Panesar had faced a ball, Harmison called him through for an ill-judged single which Monty was never going to make, run out by a yard to leave his partner stranded one short of a maiden Test half-ton.