Kevin Pietersen expressed relief at finally passing his hoodoo of being dismissed on 158 in the second Test against West Indies on Saturday.
Pietersen cracked a Test best score of 226 as England racked up 570 for seven declared on day two at Headingley before West Indies crumbled to 146 all out and 22 for two when following on.
Test cricket's number three-ranked batsman had scored 158 three times previously, twice against world champions Australia and once against Sri Lanka. He was determined there would not be a fourth occasion.
"I was very excited to go past it," Pietersen told reporters. "On 156, I was definitely going to have a go at something as I wasn't going to go 157, 158. Fortunately one went down to the boundary.
"I have been criticised for not going on once I have passed the century, getting a big score, so I'm pleased."
Pietersen, who resumed on 130, said he was not too concerned that he received a lifeline on 20 when he missed a Chris Gayle delivery and was stumped only for umpire Asad Rauf to call no-ball.
"If I was stumped I would have been stumped, simple as that, getting out doesn't faze me," Pietersen said. "I'm not scared of getting out. What pleased me the most was after that, I didn't give another chance.
"After the horrible winter that we did have (when losing the Ashes 5-0 in Australia), it's nice to be enjoying the game again with smiles on everyone's faces," he added.
West Indies' Australian coach David Moore was rueful of the missed opportunities that have cost his team in the match.
"Pietersen was out stumped early and we did not take the chance," he said. "You have to take key moments in cricket games, especially to dangerous players like Pietersen, so we just have to keep improving."
A decision will be taken at the end of the match as to whether captain Ramnaresh Sarwan will play any further part in the four-match series after he injured his shoulder joint while fielding on Friday.
