Clive Rice: "Pietersen will do well"

Former England captain Mike Atherton believes rising star Kevin Pietersen has batted himself into the reckoning for an Ashes berth.

Pietersen has been a revelation throughout England's losing one-day series in South Africa, scoring three centuries and averaging 151.

"I think the selectors will be forced into picking him this summer," said Atherton, who played 33 Ashes Tests.

"He certainly deserves to get a look-in or be considered for the Test team."

Atherton was echoing the words of Clive Rice, the man who brought Pietersen from his native South Africa to Nottinghamshire in 2001.

England should drop Key, pick Bell and save Pietersen until Thorpe retires From M Hinchie Have your say on TMS

"Just look at the impact he has made and the innings he has played since he arrived in South Africa," Atherton told the Sunday Mirror.

"Test cricket is a different and much more difficult game. You will have someone like Shane Warne spinning it sideways out of the rough.

"But from what we have seen so far, Pietersen has the temperament and skill to handle it."