'Centurion' Pietersen says likes to 'whack' every spinner he plays against

Star England batsman Kevin Pietersen has said that he has likes to 'whack' every spinner that he has played against, even as he passed England legend Graham Gooch as the country's highest run scorer across all formats.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Pietersen (113) made his 23rd Test century and fourth against Australia during the third day of the third Ashes Test at Old Trafford, although he was trapped LBW by Mitchell Starc at the final hour on Saturday.

Stating that he likes performing on the big stage, Pietersen also said that he likes to stand up to be counted when the team needs him, adding that as an English player or an Australian player, their career is defined on how they play in Ashes cricket

According to the report, Pietersen would have been out on 68 had Australian captain Michael Clarke chosen to go to the third umpire when Shane Watson (0-26) believed that he had trapped him LBW

Although a review was declined as Pietersen appeared to skip well down the wicket, but the report said that the broadcaster's Hawk Eye analysis moments later revealed that the ball was, according to the DRS gadget, hitting leg stump.

Pietersen further said that it is possible to create an element of doubt in the umpire's mind if a player ventures down the wicket.