HEARING that “KP” has lit up another cricket field may not come as a surprise to many observers, but they may be shocked to know the cricket field in question was Read’s Whalley Road.

Kevin Pietersen was nowhere to be seen when Read took on Edenfield in the Houldsworth Ribblesdale League on Saturday, but Read professional Keegan Petersen proved just as effective with a stunning all-round performance.

The South African blitzed his way to his maiden Read century with a mesmerising innings of 139 as he took the fight to the Edenfield bowlers.

He holed out in the later overs, but the damage had been done and he helped the hosts to post an imposing 260-6 from their 50 overs.

However, “KP” was not finished there as he haunted Edenfield with his leg-spin bowling, weighing in with figures of 4-39 as Read wrapped up a 104-run victory.

The result leaves Read third in the Houldsworth Ribblesdale League, six points behind second-placed Settle.

Remarkably, Peterson had only scored one half-century this season before the weekend but will now be hoping his stunning innings is the first of many.

Read skipper Kyle O’Connor, who watched the game from the sidelines due to suspension, praised Peterson’s knock as “one of the best” he’s seen at Whalley Road.

“It was absolutely faultless, definitely one of the best I’ve seen from a Read pro,” he said.

“He was a class above; the only way he was going to get out was the way he did trying to go big at the end.

“Getting to watch him perform definitely took the edge off being suspended, an absolute pleasure to watch.”

O’Connor said the whole team were delighted for all-rounder Peterson finally getting his first century for the club after struggling for form with the bat throughout the season.

“We all got together as a team and rose with him when he got to his century and you could see how much it meant to him,” he said.

“He has been struggling a bit and he’s been a bit down but he’s battled through it and it was great to see his hard work finally get rewarded.”

The skipper went on to praise Peterson’s superb bowling performance and his general influence around the club.

He said: “They say your pro wins you 10 matches per season and that was certainly one of them. It was a complete all-round performance.

“He’s a great lad to have around, likes a laugh on and off the field.”