Captain Pietersen was happy to shrug off his own man-of-the-match display – which included two wickets and an unbeaten 90 – during England's 20-run day-night victory at Headingley to focus on the return of Flintoff as an international all-rounder.

Flintoff contributed a superb 78 off 70 balls – his highest one-day international score in nearly three years – towards a 158-run stand with Pietersen that helped England reach 275-4 and then claimed 2-46 as South Africa were dismissed for 255.

It was his most consistent display since returning from ankle and side strain injuries midway through the summer and helped maintain England's remarkable change of fortunes since Pietersen was made captain.

"The man is a superstar," said Pietersen. "Some people are born into this world who are just superstars and the ability he has with that cricket ball when he bowls is just second to none, it's absolutely phenomenal.

"He can bowl in practice with one arm and still hit a length and I'm fortunate to have a bloke like that who I can ask to knock the stumps over at the death and he bowls those kind of deliveries at the death – he's brilliant."

Flintoff's innings was also his first half-century since scoring an unbeaten 72 against New Zealand in Hobart more than a year ago while last night's triumph also marked a successful return to one-day international cricket for Steve Harmison.

The Durham fast bowler claimed 2-43 from his 10 overs only 24 hours after agreeing to reverse his decision of two years ago to retire from one-day international cricket following an approach by Pietersen.

England's new captain confirmed 29-year-old Harmison would be available this winter and believes his comeback can only strengthen the one-day options.

"This is the stage he belongs on, not playing for Durham in front of 34 people. He should be playing in front of 34,000, 40,000 or 50,000, that's where Steve Harmison belongs," said Pietersen.

"Steve wants to play for England, he wants to play on the biggest stage, which is where he's performing on at the moment."

For all Pietersen's delight at England's display to claim a 1-0 lead in the five-match series, he is all too aware of their habit of starting series well only to fade and suffer convincing defeats – just as they did earlier this summer against New Zealand.

But he has called on his side to keep the momentum going when they regroup for the next day-night encounter against the tourists at Trent Bridge on Tuesday.

"There's some really positive stuff happening in English cricket at the moment but there's no point getting ahead of ourselves because we start every series well," he added.

"We always win the first game and then mess the next four up.