England appointed Kevin Pietersen as their new captain on Monday following Michael Vaughan's resignation after the series loss to South Africa.

Pietersen, 28, will lead England against his native country in the fourth Test against the South Africans starting at The Oval on Thursday, the England and Wales Cricket Board said.

"I am very thrilled and excited to have been given the opportunity to captain England," Pietersen said in an ECB news release. "It's a huge honour for me and a terrific challenge for me at this stage of my international career.

"I have learned a great deal about leadership from playing under both Michael and Paul (Collingwood) and fully appreciate the level of responsibility that comes with the job of captaining your country.

"My immediate priority will be this week's fourth test and I will be devoting all my energies to ensuring the team is properly prepared and plays to its full potential starting on Thursday."

Text: Reuters | Photographs: AFP/Getty Images

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