Pietersen: I was in my own bubble

England

Batsman Kevin Pietersen was pleased The Oval in London hosted the closing throes of England's emphatic series triumph over Australia on the final day of the fifth Test on Sunday.

Batsman Kevin Pietersen was pleased The Oval in London hosted the closing throes of England's emphatic series triumph over Australia on the final day of the fifth Test on Sunday.

Victories at Trent Bridge, Lord's and Chester-le-Street and a rain-affected draw at Old Trafford had seen the hosts retain the Ashes, while another win on the weekend would have capped a four-nil success.

However, plenty of rain on Saturday and bad light on Sunday stifled a tight. Pietersen's cavalier half-century, which featured 10 boundaries, in the second innings was ultimately in vain.

"I love this ground, it's the home of English cricket. Any time you win it's a great feeling. It was good, we had to give it a go here. We wanted to entertain, we lost a day's cricket and that's the brand of cricket this team plays," said Pietersen.

"I was in my own bubble, I was just trying to get through certain stages. I had flashbacks of 2005 but the way we played our cricket, it stands us in good stead for when we go to Australia later this year."

Batsman Ian Bell, who amassed 562 runs in 10 innings, including three centuries and two half-tons, at the impressive average of 62.44, was named the hosts' Player of the Series. Seamer Ryan Harris won the award for Australia.

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