Skipper Kevin Pietersen scored 90 not out and then claimed two wickets to inspire England to a 20-run victory over South Africa in their opening One-Day International at Headingley on Friday. The tourists, replying to England's 275 for four, could only manage 255 to give Pietersen another win after he was appointed captain this month. He finished with two for 22 from five overs and played a part in the run out of Jacques Kallis. South Africa started brightly but as soon as rookie spinner Samit Patel bowled Herschelle Gibbs (37) to leave them on 93 for two in the 16th over the match gradually turned England's way. Kallis, with 52, and AB de Villiers, caught at midwicket for 24 in Pietersen's first over, failed to build on a promising start. Mark Boucher was then stumped to give Pietersen his second victim. Pietersen had earlier combined with Andrew Flintoff (78) in a destructive stand of 158 from 128 balls. Pietersen, who survived lbw appeals on 19 and 58, batted for 82 balls for his fifth half-century in eight one-day innings against his native South Africa. Flintoff faced 70 deliveries and joined Pietersen in England's highest fourth-wicket stand in one-day cricket against the Proteas. The home side made up for a sluggish start to its innings by scoring 94 runs from the last 10 overs. England fast bowler Steve Harmison claimed figures of two for 43 in 10 overs in his first ODI since retiring from the format 20 months ago.
