By Matthew Allen

He's a street fighter and an out-and-out match winner Clive Rice

The Kevin Pietersen juggernaut has been picking up speed in India with the powerful batsman reeling off a string of big scores to give England's selectors a nudge.

Pietersen cracked 115 against South Zone in their Duleep Trophy match in Gurgaon to go with his 104 in the first innings.

It was his fourth century of a highly productive tour, and the way the 23-year-old has taken the Indian heat, slow pitches and diet of spin bowling in his stride has further highlighted his burgeoning talent.

The South African-born batsman qualifies for England at the end of September after turning his back on his country of birth three years ago when Clive Rice brought him to Nottinghamshire.

Rice believes the pressure of Pietersen's current contract dispute with Notts will go some way to ensuring that he does not join a list of England pretenders who fell by the wayside under the intensity of Test cricket.

PIETERSEN'S NOTTS RECORD 2001 1,275 first-class runs, average 57.9, highest score 218no 2002 871 first-class runs, average 62.2, highest score 254no 2003 1,546 first-class runs, average 51.5, highest score 221

"He's fighting wars at the moment, he's going to come out winning those wars - and as a result, it's going to prepare him for the battles he's going to face in Test cricket," Rice said.

"He's going to have to go through battles against the likes of Brett Lee, but he's a street fighter and an out-and-out match winner.

"He's very strong mentally, he's mapped out his path to play international cricket and that's what he's going to get. There's not even a debate."

Pietersen has made a massive impact on the county circuit, scoring heavily at an average of more than 50 with a double century in each of his three seasons.

Somerset and England fast bowler Richard Johnson was at the receiving end of Pietersen's 104-ball unbeaten 141 in a National League game at Trent Bridge last season.

"I'm a great fan of his and I can't think of any better young batsman on the county circuit right now," Johnson said.

I can't think of any better young batsman on the county circuit right now Richard Johnson

"He is strong in all areas, has all the basics and I can't see any glaring errors with his game.

"I was particularly impressed with the tempo of his innings. It was perfectly timed and even at the end he didn't get carried away and go for big shots at the wrong time.

"He also seems to have the right temperament to play at the top so I wouldn't be surprised to see him do well in international cricket, especially in the limited-overs game."

With England looking to build a strong limited-overs squad for the 2007 World Cup and the established Test middle-order advancing in years, Pietersen may not have to wait too long to show what he can do.

In the meantime, he continues to map out his path to the top in single-minded fashion.