Pietersen feels the pain

Hi everyone, thanks again for all your feedback.

Today's photo was taken during the first ODI of the 2006-07 Australian summer between Australia and England.

Kevin Pietersen was batting in his usual aggressive way, making runs at a good rate. Glenn McGrath was bowling and Pietersen had been walking down the wicket to a number of deliveries, hitting through midwicket.

On this particular delivery, Pietersen again attempted to walk down the pitch and pull a shorter ball. He mistimed his effort and was struck a painful blow in the midriff. The result was cracked ribs and while he managed to bat on until being dismissed a few overs later, it was the end of his tour.

This photo was taken from a different angle from the last couple of photos I have posted. As I mentioned previously, the very fine leg or the straight long-off position is the usual position to shoot cricket from, but it isn't compulsory.

Depending on the state of play, particularly if the batsmen are dominating, it can be good to move to a different position to get a new angle. Batting photos often look better when taken from a position more square of the wicket.

For this photo I was working from deep midwicket. It is a position I often like to work from during ODIs. Due to the nature of limited-overs games, with the batting team often dominating, it can work well. If the bowling team does well, the angle can still work or I can move to a straighter position if needed. Also, working for Getty Images, we often have one or two other photographers at a match, as we did at this one, so it is necessary to find a few different angles for us all to work from.

The position I was in helps for this photo. Pietersen was attempting to play the ball in my direction, so after he was struck, his momentum turned his body to face me. The pain on his face as the ball bounces out tells the story. It is never nice to see someone being hurt, but as the injury meant the end of Pietersen's tour, it was the photo that told the story of the day.