Kevin Pietersen first comes to England's attention when he dismisses Michael Vaughan while playing for Natal in a 1999 tour match

He joins Nottinghamshire in 2001 and becomes their youngest player to score a double century in a season where he totals 1,275

After qualifying in the autumn of 2004, Pietersen makes his England one-day international debut against Zimbabwe in Harare

In early 2005, England tour South Africa and he hits his first ODI century in Bloemfontein as the sides tie a thrilling match

Next he earns a place in the Test side for the Ashes which England win after his memorable innings in the final match at The Oval

A sensational first year in international cricket sees him named 2005's top emerging talent and best ODI player

Decent showings at the start of 2006 see him travel to Australia in good form but even he cannot prevent a 5-0 series whitewash

West Indies provide the opposition at Headingley when Pietersen registers his highest Test score of 226 as England romp to victory

The summer of 2008 sees him controversially employ a switch-hitting technique against New Zealand but the MCC later approves it

Despite defeat in the recent series against South Africa, Pietersen continues to be one of England's star performers

With Michael Vaughan and Paul Collingwood resigning, Pietersen is awarded the captaincy of both the Test and one-day sides

New captain Pietersen hits a ton in the first innings to help England record a six-wicket win over South Africa in the fourth Test

One-day success follows for the captain, with England recording a superb 4-0 victory over South Africa

A pot of �12.4m is on offer in the Stanford Super Series, but Pietersen's England lose to the Superstars by 10 wickets in the final

After Stanford, England go on tour to India where they are outclassed in the one-day series and lose the Test series

Coach Peter Moores is sacked and Pietersen resigns after news of a rift is made public