Kevin Pietersen [Images] scored the fastest century by an England [Images] player in one-day cricket against South Africa in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday and then drew praise from both captains for his achievement.

"He's a special player, he's competitive and he's quite cocky, I like that in him," England captain Michael Vaughan [Images] told a news conference. South Africa captain Graeme Smith [Images] added: "He's a hard hitter in a purple patch".

South Africa won the fifth one-day international by seven runs to take a 3-1 lead in the seven-match series but Pietersen stole the home side's thunder by smashing the last ball over the midwicket boundary for six to reach his second century.

South-African-born Pietersen was 100 not out off 69 balls with seven fours and four sixes.

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Vaughan looked forward to the day when Pietersen and allrounder Andrew Flintoff [Images], who has returned home for ankle surgery, are able to play in the same team.

"It's going to be quite something when we get him and Freddie Flintoff in the middle order together," Vaughan said.

CHANCES

Smith, who scored an unbeaten 115, also paid tribute to Pietersen's run of form. "We gave him too many chances, if we got him early we could have won by 60 runs."

South Africa scored 311 for seven to which England replied with 304 for eight.

"We allowed them to score too many runs, we weren't good enough in the field, we didn't lose the game with our batting," Vaughan said.

"If you don't hit them early with the new ball they will make you pay in the last 15 overs.

"If you get it wrong against players like Justin Kemp he will put you over the ropes."

Kemp smashed a career-best 80 off 50 balls with four fours and seven sixes, and shared a fifth-wicket stand of 117 off 85 balls with Smith.

"It's dangerous at the other end when you're batting with him. He's playing superbly," Smith said.