Kevin Pietersen said he'd no choice but to play the way he did during his sensational maiden Test hundred that helped England secure the Ashes at The Oval on Monday.

Pietersen's barnstorming 158, featuring seven sixes and 15 fours, guided England to the safety of a draw that secured a 2-1 series win — their first Ashes triumph in 18 years.

South Africa-born Pietersen, who ended what was his first Test series with an average of over fifty, was especially severe on Brett Lee, Australia's fastest bowler, who he smashed all round The Oval in a dashing assault that saw the paceman concede 37 runs in three overs after lunch.

"The whole thing's been fantastic," the 25-year-old said.

"I always play positively. There's no point in me just trying to knock the ball around. I'm a positive player. When Brett Lee came into bowl, I knew it was me or him.

"There's great camaraderie, with this team, the coach and back-up staff and this series has been played in really good spirit.

"Everyone likes being in everyone's company and everyone enjoys playing with each other.

"The last 12 months have been very special for me. It's a great help to have these fellahs around. It's fantastic," said Pietersen who made his name as an international player by scoring three one-day international centuries in his native South Africa during the last northern winter.

"We've got a group of guys who love each other's company but there's been one or two people who have come up and asked me for advice and I just do what I can and my best advice is enjoy," Pietersen said.

Even leg-spin legend Shane Warne, the only bowler to have taken 600 Test wickets, wasn't spared the Pietersen treatment being swept, twice, and driven for superb sixes.

To make matters worse for Warne, usually a fine slip fielder, he dropped a simple slip chance when Pietersen was on 15.

Asked if he felt he owed Warne a drink, Pietersen jokingly replied. "I've dropped six catches this series. I don't owe anybody anything."

Pietersen, qualified for England through his English mother, added: "Shane Warne has bowled 200 percent better than he's done with Hampshire but I always expected him to rise to the occasion."