Kevin Pietersen on 99 but showing no sign of nerves for Ashes You may take issue with his nation-hopping as an ambitious teen, or the attitude that switch-hits between confidence and arrogance. On the verge of his 100th Test, the English batsman remains one of cricket's most divisive figures. News of an impending press conference with Pietersen two days before the Ashes opener induced cases of mild arrhythmia among media. Man in the middle: England's powerhouse batsman Kevin Pietersen strides off the Gabba Photo: Getty Images But if anyone expected bluster and more ammunition for the Ashes phoney war on Tuesday, he countered with a charm offensive and a series of reflections on his career. He spoke with humility while answering questions about his arrogance. He managed to group himself with greats from other sports, such as Frank Lampard and Dan Carter, before admitting he struggles to view himself in anywhere near the same light. And he provided illuminating insights into his character, revealing fierce backyard cricket and rugby games with his brothers as a kid were all about the result, not about the simple joys of taking part. I'm not sure how it all happened. Pietersen's tricky dynamic within the England team has been well documented. In terms of his teammates, with the low point the texting scandal involving former captain Andrew Strauss last year, he admitted there had been mistakes. But at this point, just days away from a century of Test matches, Pietersen said he simply felt blessed with all he had experienced and achieved. Kevin Pietersen relaxes with teammates. "We've all made mistakes in our lives, and if I hadn't learned I wouldn't be sitting here on the eve of my 100th Test match," he said. Where my career is right now, I don't know that I could be any happier. Clearly there's been some bad stuff which has been well documented. When you're riding the crest of a wave and everything's going really well for you, it's hard to learn. But when you make mistakes in life, business, anything, you learn. He's dominated Australia in Ashes combat and yearns to do so again this time. After that, the farewell tour may travel where it all began, with a century in South Africa one of the few outstanding items on his to-do list. "The World Cup in 2015 is something I'd love to have a go at with England," he said. And I've got home and away hundreds against each major nation apart from South Africa. The tour to South Africa's in '15-'16, so if the old man can survive until then, I'd like to get there.