KEVIN Pietersen today won a potentially major psychological battle with Australia ahead of the Ashes.

The Hampshire star cracked England's first century on tour Down Under - 122 off 171 balls against a strong New South Wales XI in Sydney.

That was scored against an attack containing FIVE bowlers who could face Pietersen in the Ashes - Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark and Stuart MacGill.

Pietersen revealed his innings - his first century in any form of the game since August - showed he was ready to fight McGrath and Lee's pace barrage.

The pair were keen to bounce Pietersen, but the man who clinched England's first Ashes win since 1987 at The Oval 14 months ago fought fire with fire.

"It's a delivery I've worked on and am working on really hard," he said.

"I won't stop working hard because I know on these wickets you have to try to play it as well as you can.

"If you look to just leave and be negative or defensive you've got more opportunity of getting out or being hit and being injured."

For full story see today's Daily Echo.