KEVIN PIETERSEN hit a swashbuckling and eventful 151 to brighten England’s prospects of a series-levelling victory in the second and final Test against hosts Sri Lanka yesterday.

The 31-year-old batsman lit up day three’s play with his array of scintillating shots, hitting 16 fours and six sixes as England secured a handy 185-run lead before being bowled out for 460 in their first innings.

Pietersen, whose attempts at playing his switch-hits earned him a warning, joined Ken Barrington with 20 Test tons and now has more international centuries (29) than any other English batsman.

Sri Lanka had one over to face and they survived scoring four without loss, all leg byes. Pietersen, in the 90s, Twice moved into position to play the switch-hit shot and Tillakaratne Dilshan pulled up on both occasions. Pietersen was told a repetition would mean a five-run penalty.

That did not happen and Pietersen was trapped leg before by Rangana Herath (6-133) who picked up his 10th five wicket haul in a Test innings.