Stand-in captain Marcus Trescothick today looked forward to the prospect of Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen batting together - after the Hampshire batsman blasted England to a six-wicket win over South Africa A.

Without all-rounder Flintoff, who is to undergo ankle surgery next week, England were indebted to South African-born Pietersen's power hitting as he struck three huge sixes and nine fours in an 84-ball 97 under the floodlights last night.

Such a display got Trescothick wondering about the explosive prospect of both batsmen appearing in the same XI.

"It was very Flintoff-esque," said Trescothick. "In the way he struck those sixes.

"You don't really want to compare him to Freddie because they are slightly different players but if you get them in the same team it will be good fun.

"We are creating a squad with a lot of good players in, so there is no guaranteed place for anybody.

"You have to keep performing and you might get a situation where both play."

Pietersen, who joined Hampshire from Notts in the autumn, shared 169 runs in 27 overs with fellow academy graduate Ian Bell (87 not out) as the youthful middle-order made light of a position of 57 for three in pursuit of 252.

"It was something I have not really seen before the way they played, especially Kev," said Trescothick. "They took the game away so quickly, it was an important innings from both of them. In the past we have sometimes folded in those situations, so to nail it so easily was very encouraging."

South Africa A were left to regret relinquishing a position of 159 for one with 19 overs remaining as England toiled in the intense heat.

"The wicket definitely looked like it was difficult towards the end of our innings but I was still disappointed we didn't get 275 or 280," said captain Boeta Dippenaar, who struck 66 alongside centurion Morne van Wyk.

"We did not bowl that well perhaps because it did not look difficult at the end of the England innings.

"But that type of partnership, in quick time, wins you games."

Pietersen was voted man of the match as he continued his impressive introduction to England's one-day squad.

Back in late November and early December, Pietersen played four one-day internationals against Zimbabwe and averaged 104.00 from three innings with a highest score of 77 not out.

England's encouraging performance yesterday, without half-a-dozen regulars, has caused some selection dilemmas with Bell's faultless knock likely to pressurise Vikram Solanki's place at the Wanderers on Sunday.

Kabir Ali also improved his chances with four for 40 while rival James Anderson went wicketless for 65 runs in nine overs.

"Jimmy is not in good form and not producing what we normally expect from him," admitted Trescothick. "People go through these situations when they are fighting for what they want to achieve, it is just not quite working for him."

Trescothick, keeping wicket at the head of the innings, underwent an injury scare when an Anderson return from the deep jammed the fingers on his left hand as he attempted to collect on the half-volley - but did not suffer serious damage.

England's first one-day international against South Africa takes place in Johannesberg on Sunday (8am GMT).

Skipper Brian Lara this morning lashed 156 off 138 balls with 12 fours and five sixes as West Indies rattled up 339-4 in the latest VB Series game against Pakistan in Adelaide. Pakistan fell well short of victory on 281-9.