Buoyancy aid

"He's got the KP swagger back which people love or hate. I love it because it's great to see a confident cricketer."
Alec Stewart Quotes of the week

Pietersen, 31, followed up his 111no in Saturday's contest with a match-winning 130 on Tuesday to lead England to a 4-0 series whitewash in the UAE.

Speaking after the final game of the series, Stewart told Sky Sports: "Kevin Pietersen was outstanding. I'm pleased for him because he's copped a bit of flak. He's had technical issues but he's a hard worker, he's addressed them and he's been rewarded.

"He's got the KP swagger back which people love or hate. I love it because it's great to see a confident cricketer. He dominated in defence and he dominated in attack.

"He is a match-winner and he will turn a game just by spending time at the crease; he puts fear into the opposition bowlers."

Pietersen showed plenty of humility during a post-match interview with Sky Sports pundit Nick Knight, but Stewart says he would like the batsman to make more of personal achievements.

Proud

"Once you get him one-on-one, and I've seen chatted to him in the Surrey dressing room, he does love cricket and he loves talking cricket," said Stewart.

"He should be proud that he's come through the dark days and should be telling the world it isn't just the team, it's me Kevin Pietersen."

Stewart reckons England's comprehensive victory in the 50-over series should act as a springboard for the World Cup in three years' time.

And the former Surrey star thinks Andy Flower's charges could fare well Down Under - as long as the team heads into the tournament in a settled state.

"This group of players can take (England) forward between now and the 2015 World Cup in Australia," added Stewart.

"Someone will drop put and another young player will come in, but if they can keep the nucleus and not panic - which is what the selectors have done in previous World Cups - they've got half a chance."