The scarcely believable start to Kevin Pietersen's England captaincy has seen a predictable reaction in some sceptical quarters: "Napoleon preferred his generals lucky" and all that malarkey.

But really? Whatever you think about Pietersen, and however sceptical you (we) are about his long term leadership, you have to concede he deserves everything that comes to him. It was another white South African with brow-furrowing political views who popularised "the harder I practice, the luckier I get" and there is no greater example of Gary Player's sentiment right now.

From the well-trodden tales of his early journey, up to this incredible last fortnight, the philosophy has been more or less the same: prepare, believe and play outside your comfort zone and the rewards will come.

This approach is cheaply outlined but very few can execute it. The resounding ODI series win over South Africa is not without its qualifications - the tourists have at times performed disgracefully - but is nevertheless a tribute to the new captain's commitment to his methods.

Pietersen's favour for simplification is sometimes a curse. The belief that "I only play one way" was rightly denounced in Adelaide as "like saying 'I always drive on the left even when I'm in France'" but it has been a blessing during this honeymoon. Not for KP varied approaches for serious, experienced cricketers (Andrew Flintoff and Steve Harmison), previously modest performers with plenty to prove (Matt Prior, Stuart Broad) and a newcomer (Samit Patel). All have more or less received the same instruction: prepare, believe and play.

For how long will this approach work? Pietersen has been dealt a kind hand these next six weeks. The Champions Trophy might have appealed to some in these heady times, and the captain himself would no doubt have delivered a rousing 'Bring It On!' from aboard a white charger in his final Heathrow press conference, but realistically the conditions and competition would all but rule out an England win even if spirits remained artificially high.

With an arduous Himalayan trek awaiting before Christmas and hectic 2009 schedule, the chance to rest up is most welcome. The Stanford match and India Test series represent challenges of course but winning the former and even drawing the latter would maintain fantastic momentum going into the new year; to do so requires winning one Test and one T20 match and there is now ample preparation time. The West Indies may be improved but a win there is the minimum respectable target in early 2009 and then the real business is upon us.

Of course the brutish, macho nature of Pietersen's approach means that disaster could arrive as soon as triumph. The 'believe' mantra would ring hollow after five consecutive on-the-road ODI defeats in India, and it's not clear he has another gear. A diverting but very serious concern would be the skipper's reaction if, say, a waddling Patel failed to stop a match-winning boundary to cost the team a lottery jackpot in Antigua.

Time will tell, but England will deserve what they get under Pietersen. "Don't try it without the 10%" - Richie's words warn all would-be captains. And while there is much to prove before Pietersen is an outstanding leader, we've surely seen enough of the man and his methods now that 'luck' is no longer a serious explanation.

Peter May

On Wednesday Shahida Jacobs will look at the changes Pietersen has instigated to turn England around...