Kevin Pietersen's good form in ODIs could earn him a Test spot © Getty Images

Kevin Pietersen's explosive start in international cricket could earn him a spot in the Test side, according to Michael Vaughan, the England captain. Pietersen, who was in remarkable form throughout the one-day series against South Africa, struck his third century in a crisis situation to help his side to a respectable total in the seventh one-dayer at Centurion, even though it couldn't prevent another England defeat.

England were reeling at 68 for six, when Pietersen took charge, hitting 116 and taking his series tally to 454. "You have to be a very good player to do what he has just done," said Vaughan, quoted on the SportingLife website. "He has come in and set the world alight with innings of unbelievable tempo in pressure situations.

"I am certainly happy he is in our team. Once you get him and Andrew Flintoff batting together in that middle period you will certainly see some fireworks. And I don't see any reason why he should not continue this form into Test cricket."

Pietersen's efforts may have been in vain as England went down 1-4 in the seven-match series, but he did manage to win the Man of the Match and Man of the Series awards.

Duncan Fletcher, the England coach, has also not ruled him out for the forthcoming Ashes series. "When an individual bats like that, you can't ignore him," said Fletcher. "He has to come into the equation. It is nice to have these pleasant problems; we need to sit down and weigh it all up, Australia are coming over, they are a tough side and we will have to give it a lot of thought."

Pietersen smacked 15 sixes in all making himself a strong contender to team up with Andrew Flintof and form the explosive core of the middle order. "The way he took on everyone, the South African crowd included, was impressive, he just seems to thrive on that and it is a big plus in his favour. He is a boy who likes a contest and that is very pleasing with the Australians coming along."

Pietersen, who left his South African roots at the age of 20, was delighted with his prolific run, and rated his knock of 116 as one of the best, but refused to be drawn on his chances of a Test debut against Australia. "This knock was pretty special and it would rank up there as the best hundred I have ever scored. Everyone is asking me about my desire to play Test cricket now but I do not select myself. I can only put my hand up for a place in the team by scoring some runs for my new team Hampshire."