So, The KP Story is into a sixth season and our hero is back in the runs. As if there was any doubt this Bangladesh series would see him climbing the rankings (before today he lay 25th, his tale in increasing danger of being discontinued).

Failure upon failure in the warm-up matches thickened the anticipation. But we knew he would respond – get up in pressure’s grill and make this series about his redemption.

How Pietersen wanted that hundred. For all 135 balls of his glorified net he was a study in conscientious and polished technical strokeplay. For once, the off-side was a friend, the whip to leg not seen until he was well past fifty as he won the internal battle.

But the writers had a twist, ripped straight from Bittersweet – Ian Bell does Lord’s, 2008. The inside-out method that had nullified that cursed left-arm spin failed him at the crucial moment. The stumps rattled, the eyes widened, and the wait for a first hundred since Port of Spain last March goes on.

KP is back on track, but this episode centred on Alastair Cook. Cook was a captain cast in the hope that he’d grow into his role, but batted like he’s ready, albeit against a Bangladesh side who didn’t so much fluff their lines as speak them in the wrong language. A big double-hundred tomorrow might even get him a show of his own.

Sam Collins is editor of thewisdencricketer.com