Pietersen, 25, has endured the most rapid of elevations to make the elite side which takes on Australia in the first of three Super Series one-day matches at the Telstra Dome here today.

He is a household name in England following his epic hundred which clinched the Ashes at the Oval last month.

Yet this time 12 months ago, the Hampshire batsman was initially overlooked for the tour of South Africa, only gaining the call-up after impressing with his attitude in Zimbabwe.

His astonishing average of 87.33 in 21 one-day internationals -- including three hundreds and four half-centuries -- now means he mingles with all-time greats like Brian Lara, Shaun Pollock and Muttiah Muralitharan.

"It is great to pick the brains of the absolute geniuses in our dressing room," Pietersen said.

"The reason why the blokes on our side are such champions is they are not just great players but big personalities as well.

"That is important when you are testing yourself at the top level and this series is exactly that."

Whether the collective from seven countries can gel as a unit appears to be key against an Australian side, whose one-day results have far outstripped any other side in the world over the past five years, but Pietersen insists they are determined to triumph.

"Of course we expect to win, we have not come here to lose," he said.