In the final Test at The Oval he took the attack to the Australian bowlers in a match England needed to draw to secure the Ashes, hooking Brett Lee off his eyebrows for six on his way to 158 on the final day.
Since then Pietersen has been England's leading batsman, expanding his repertoire to include a reverse sweep of Muttiah Muralitharan for six against Sri Lanka, and striking 226 against West Indies last year.
He was also England's best batsman in an unsuccessful World Cup campaign in the Caribbean last year.
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Pietersen has captained England once in a one-day international, losing to New Zealand at Lord's this year.
He will be in charge for next year's Twenty20 World Cup in England.
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