Graham Ford, the man credited with helping Kevin Pietersen back to his best, believes the England batsman's maturity and zeal to learn are the main reasons for his upswing in form.

After going 28 Test innings without a century, Pietersen turned to Ford - his mentor since primary school - to help him to get out of his batting slump ahead of the Ashes Down Under.

Although the 30-year-old didn't score too many runs during his two-match stint for the Dolphins in South Africa, the work he put in during the three weeks in South Africa paid handsome dividends in Adelaide when he notched up a career-best 227.

Former South Africa coach Ford told the Johannesburg-based The Times that things "clicked" straightaway when he started working with Pietersen.

"I have been lucky enough that KP listens to and values what I have to say and I have had a good understanding with him," Ford said.

"He came out here resolute and determined to get his game working and fortunately quite a few things clicked very quickly once we got working.

"I'm sure Graham Gooch (the England batting coach) and Andy Flower (team director) have done a lot of excellent work with him too.

"But he just felt he wanted to see me. It was nice to be able to work without any distractions. I think he has his game worked out these days.

"He was pretty crushed about being dropped from the one-day set-up but he has bounced back, as that double century has shown."

So what exactly was the recipe for Pietersen's return to form?

Ford says the England batsman, who was known to be a little rash when he started his international career, is now more mature and ready to listen to advice.

"I have noticed differences in him since he left here," he said.

"He is now a family man and he's older. He is a bit more circumspect.

"When he first joined the England set-up I suppose he was a bit rash sometimes in what he said and did and I guess the older guys in the England dressing room didn't much like it.

"He has matured and he's very receptive to any advice. He is a very sharp thinker on the game and he's a good strategist.

"He likes to dominate and I guess that has been a factor. But I would hate him to lose that wonderful flair.

"He's a wonderful entertainer. I am not a good morning man but I would happily get up early to watch him bat."