Kevin Pietersen's 227 in Ashes (Source: AFP Photos)
Blood, sweat, rivalry, and heartbreak, the Ashes has delivered cricket’s most jaw-dropping moments for over a century. Whenever England and Australia meet on the 22 yards, excitement catches extra height as red-ball action brings drama on the field like never before.
As the Test series is much more than just a Test battle, players never leave a moment to craft their own legacy. Kevin Pietersen did exactly that, smashing a breathtaking double hundred to seal his legacy in style.
Double hundreds are always the cherry on the top in the longest format, but the big stage of the Ashes made it more memorable. Let’s relive Pietersen’s heroics in the Ashes.
Pietersen’s Ashes double ton that stands the test of time
Adelaide has seen heroes before, but none quite like Kevin Pietersen on that unforgettable day. Ashes 2010-11 was a classic one for England; the second Test match set the base of their spectacular performance. After the first match ended in a disappointing draw, the arch-rivals collided at Adelaide, and the world witnessed a drama on the field.
While batting first, the Australian side faced a massive setback as they ended their innings on 245 runs. As the Aussie bowlers came back with the ball, they eyed domination on their home turf, but the English brilliance flipped the script.
Coming to bat, England faced an early setback as captain Andrew Strauss walked away scoring only one run. After that dismissal, Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott’s crucial partnership gave a big boost, but when Kevin Pietersen joined Cook, the Aussie bowlers faced the heat.
Pietersen arrived in the form of a firestorm that Australia had never even imagined. Facing the lethal Aussie attack, he smashed a thrilling half-century in 77 deliveries. As the Aussie bowler eyed domination, Pietersen stunned them with a 158-ball Ashes century.
In front of his fiery form, the hosts looked shattered, and Piertersen tightened his grip and crossed the 150-run mark in just 210 balls. Filled with exceptional dominance, a deserving double hundred was waving at him, and he didn’t lose the chance. In 283 balls, he smashed an outstanding Test double hundred against Australia.
Stitching some crucial partnerships with the teammates, he gave a massive boost to England’s total. Before Doherty removed him, he played a clinical knock of 227 runs in 308 balls with 33 boundaries and one six.
With that outstanding innings, England pushed to put on a massive total of 620 runs, putting the Aussies on the back foot. When the Aussies returned to bat in the second innings, England batters restricted them to 304 runs, securing a massive victory of one innings and 71 runs.
In his 104-match Test career in the prestigious England jersey, he stunned the world with countless memorable knocks. Even after 15 years, his 227 against England in the Ashes still stands as his highest score in the longest format. More than just runs, that innings ignited England’s belief and powered their domination in Australia’s own backyard.
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