Pietersen must put aside ego to succeed

For me, Kevin Pietersen's innings on Sunday was one of the best I have seen him play because he played with such controlled aggression. He did not play any rash shots, and kept his cool by never giving the bowlers a chance or a sniff of getting him out. Only when he reached his century and England were so much on top was he dismissively brutal against some of the bowlers.

When Xavier Doherty came on, it was a challenge for Pietersen because people are saying left-arm spinners get him out. There was no way he was going to allow Doherty to bowl. He attacked him and planted him out of the park straight. He played him with ease.

I don't think Pietersen has a weakness in his batting. The only weakness he has is between his ears when his ego gets him out.

This was his first Test hundred for 21 months. During that time he has had a lot of pain in his life with the loss of the captaincy, injury, changing counties and a lack of runs.

You hope it has made him a wiser, more mature individual. If he played like this more often he would get more runs for England and for himself. Australia simply could not bowl at him. He was that good and he didn't need to resort to his switch hit to show who was in charge.

Alastair Cook is in the form of his life with a double hundred and 148 in this series already, taking his career tally of Test centuries to 15 in 62 matches. If you get one Test hundred in five Tests then you are pretty good. He is now getting one in four. That is exceptionally good. I know pitches have gotten better and bat technology has moved on but it is still an excellent record.

Cook has always had concentration, desire and a willingness to occupy the crease and being a top player is not just about ability or talent.

Great footwork

It is about character as well. He has never been short of character. All he has to do is be aware and keep working on his footwork and making sure he gets his front foot in the correct position. There has never been a great batsman without great footwork and great balance. He has now got the opportunity to have the series of his life.

Wally Hammond scored 905 in Australia in 1928-29, the best by an Englishman, and Donald Bradman holds the record for the best series ever — 974 runs in 1930. He should aim for that mark. It is a tall order but you should always have ambition and he should aim to make history.