KP returns to top billing in England win

Kevin Pietersen's return to his best is perhaps the biggest success story among many in England's trophy-winning ICC World Twenty20 campaign.

The mercurial number three batsman was named player of the tournament, after he and Craig Kieswetter (63) had shared a century stand to help England trounce Australia in the final at Kensington Oval.

Asked after Sunday's seven-wicket humbling of Australia if he thinks he may be back to his best, Pietersen said: "I'd like to think so. I spent hours and hours in the nets in Bangalore (during the IPL) and spent an hour-and-a-half at Nagpur in a game where I missed out. I just worked as hard as I could, because I was really disappointed in my winter and in the last 12 months."

However well he is faring personally, though, Pietersen insists it is the impact he can have on team success which motivates him.

"To contribute to this, there's no greater feeling," he said. "To do what we have done here in the past two weeks - priceless."

Wicketkeeper-batsman Kieswetter is another England player to have proved his talent.

Pietersen said: "I have been really impressed with Kiesy since he has come in.

"I hadn't seen him play; I didn't know what he did.

"I knew he hit the ball hard. But on Monday when I was at home (for the birth of his son in London), I watched the game for an hour or so and I saw how still he keeps his head and how he plays - and I was really, really impressed.

"He's come into the team; all the lads have taken to him, and he's done a fantastic job. Long may it continue in his career - what a great start, coming into the team and winning a World Cup. He has been such a great part of it."