Kevin Pietersen

Few careers have crackled with as much noise and brilliance as Kevin Pietersen's. Born in South Africa and driven to England by ambition, his presence transformed the dressing room. His swagger and refusal to be ordinary set a standard of self-belief that lifted those around him. In the 2005 Ashes, his debut Test series, he took on Australia's attack so fearlessly that teammates admitted he made them believe they could beat the world's best, and his 158 at The Oval sealed the urn.

His method was unorthodox, built on ferocious hand-eye coordination and an appetite for risk. The switch-hit he pioneered, the flamingo whip through midwicket and a willingness to attack the best bowlers defined his approach. At his peak he dismantled attacks in every format, and his 186 in Mumbai in 2012, which set up a famous England win in India, remains a masterclass against spin. His brief spell as England captain ended in acrimony in 2009 after a falling-out with the coach, and constant friction with management culminated in his 2014 exile from the international side.

For all the drama, his impact is beyond argument: more than 8,000 Test runs, 23 Test hundreds and England's first World T20 title in 2010, where he was player of the tournament. Now a broadcaster and conservationist, he still courts attention, but what endures is his knack for changing a match in a single session.