KP's gone nuts about Harmy

Steve Harmison was singled out for praise by captain Kevin Pietersen after England's one-day win against South Africa at Headingley.

Harmison was tempted out of one-day international retirement following an injury to Ryan Sidebottom and did not disappoint by taking the wickets of South African skipper Graeme Smith and Jean-Paul Duminy as England took a 1-0 lead in the five-game series.

Afterwards Pietersen, who was celebrating victory as official full-time captain for the first time in the 50 over format of the game, said: "He was absolutely brilliant. He came back and did what we asked. It was a big plus for Steve and big pluses for all the boys.

"For Steve to make a U-turn at the last hour was magnificent and he delivered. Long may that continue."

Despite Harmison's good performance, it was Pietersen who secured the man-of-the-match award after scoring 90 runs and chipping in with two wickets as England fired 275-4 before dimissing the Proteas for 255.

"The team were brilliant," he said. "The boys did a good job. I asked a lot of the lads. I think there are a few areas we can still improve but all round, I can't blame anyone.

"There's no point resting on our laurels, though. It is a long series, there are still four more games to play.

"We always start well and we end up messing it up a bit so I think Nottingham on Tuesday is a huge, huge fixture for us."