Kevin Pietersen marked his first Test innings against South Africa, the land of his birth; with a commanding 104 not out as England regained the initiative here at Lord's on Thursday.England, at stumps on the first day of the first Test, was 309 for three, having been 117 for three not long after Pietersen came to the crease.
And England's position might have been worse had not South Africa missed a chance to run-out Pietersen before he'd scored.
But come the close they were on top, especially as South Africa captain Graeme Smith had decided to field after winning the toss in the opening match of this four-Test series.
Ian Bell initially led the fightback with some stylish shot-making before becoming more of a support act. However, at the close he was 75 not out, his unbroken stand with Pietersen worth 192 in 46 overs.
The 28-year-old Pietersen, whose decision to turn his back on South Africa because he believed a racial proportion selection policy was hampering his progress remains controversial in his homeland, found his form against left-arm spinner Paul Harris.
Then a forcing boundary shot through point off Morkel saw Pietersen to his century, which he celebrated outrageously by punching the air in delight as he leapt off the pitch.
He'd reached three figures in just 127 balls with one six and 13 fours. It was his 13th hundred in 40 Tests and his fourth at Lord's. But Pietersen's reaction spoke more expressively than statistics ever could.
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