Pietersen enjoys himself as batsman and captain

By Clare Lovell

LONDON (Reuters) - Kevin Pietersen, who scored a century against his native South Africa in his first innings as England captain on Friday, said he had succeeded by separating his roles.

"When you go out to bat you've just got to bat -- you can't be a captain when you are batting," he told a news conference.

"I just batted like I normally do. I like to keep it simple, do the simplest things as well as I can. I went out to enjoy myself"

England scored 316 for a 122-run first innings lead over South Africa, who have already clinched the series after earning an unbeatable 2-0 lead at Edgbaston last weekend, a victory that prompted Michael Vaughan's resignation as captain.

Pietersen, 28, who left South Africa as a youth after disagreements with cricket officials about the country's transformation policies, is desperate to salvage something from the series.

After two successful days for England with ball then bat Pietersen joked that his job could only go downhill.

"I wouldn't say it is an easy job -- it can only get worse, but I've had more good days than bad days," he said.

Pietersen was also full of praise for recalled fast bowler Steve Harmison, who scored an unbeaten 49.