A majority of the players contracted to Cricket Australia have described England's Kevin Pietersen as the best batsman in the world outside Australia. Pietersen, with 50 per cent of the vote, was by far the most popular choice, reports The Age. Sachin Tendulkar, Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis and Kumar Sangakkara are no where close to him. Apparently, the Australians fear Pietersen the most when it comes to an Ashes series. Batsmen want to be him, envying his audaciousness, and bowlers want to be a long way away from him. Pietersen has made 963 runs at 53.50 against Australia, but it is the 29-year-old's attitude that attracts just as much admiration as his record. His arrogrance has made him a divisive and abrasive character in dressing rooms, condemning him to a short and turbulent reign as England captain, but it has also made him a champion.
