He might not be as charismatic as the former England captain Tony Greig but Kevin Pietersen is the more talented player and he leads by extravagant example, writes Paul Weaver in the Guardian.

In his touchy-feely way he has, crucially, got Andrew Flintoff onside, and with him Steve Harmison. Under him, England have a substantially better chance of regaining the Ashes than they would have under Michael Vaughan, who appeared to have lost not only his form but also the dressing room, or at least important parts of it. Judging by his only Test as captain Pietersen, unlike Vaughan, also realises that Flintoff must play as one of five bowlers and bat at six; if the top five don't get enough runs change them. We can only make a proper judgment on Pietersen when things start to go wrong, which they will. And it will eventually end in tears, because it always does.

Derek Pringle, in the Telegraph, is of the opinion that it is the intimidating presence of Harmison and Flintoff, refreshed and re-united, that has changed the aura of Kevin Pietersen's one-day team from prey to predator.