Few England hopefuls have attracted so much attention but far from all of the comments passed on Pietersen have been positive.

Born in South Africa, there seems little doubt that he would have represented that country had the quota system not prompted a controversial defection to Nottinghamshire four years ago.

The powerful right-hander was an immediate success at Trent Bridge and has built an average of over 50 in first-class cricket, memorably posting 254 not out against Middlesex in 2002 and 221 against Warwickshire the following year.

Those scores suggest that Pietersen is capable of playing the longer form of the game after laying down a marker at international level since qualifying to play for his mother's homeland last year.

Having made his debut in Zimbabwe, impressive performances there were quickly overshadowed by an astonishing series of innings against the country of his birth.

He posted three centuries including the fastest ever by an England player - 100* off 69 balls at Buffalo Park – and failed only once in six visits to the crease.

That he did so in the face of rare hostility only served to heighten the sense of achievement and calls have been growing for Pietersen to be partnered with Andrew Flintoff in a potentially explosive middle order.

A lively fielder and bowler of respectable off-spin, Pietersen will have to prove himself twice to the doubters but his desire to succeed should not be in doubt.

His bitter and drawn-out departure from Trent Bridge last summer has reinforced the view that a player well known for his self-assurance may be more trouble than he is worth.

But Pietersen has been a model of humility since that ODI success, a wise move given that pundits and colleagues alike have been lining up to do his talking for him.

None of these has been more vocal than new Hampshire captain Shane Warne and, though much will depend not only on the player himself but also that of numerous rivals, a fascinating showdown between the Rose Bowl's most effusive characters could be on the cards this summer.