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KP wants England to show killer instinct

Kevin Pietesen is looking for England to power over India © Getty Images

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Kevin Pietersen feels England cannot rest on their laurels and must look to emulate the great Test sides of the past and dominate the sport for years to come.

England's crushing victory over India at Edgbaston on Saturday took them to the top of the Test world rankings. It is the culmination of the fine work of coach Andy Flower, captain Andrew Strauss and a well-drilled batting, bowling and fielding outfit.

Pietersen has played his part in helping England reach the summit - he hit a double century in the win at Lord's - and he is determined not to take his foot off the gas - ahead of winter series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka - urging his team-mates to "kill" the opposition.

"When the great Australian and West Indian teams played for years and years, they killed opposition," Pietersen said. "I played against that Australian team in 2006 in Australia; I promise you, every day's play of those Test matches you weren't looking forward to it because you knew you were going to get dealt with. That's what I hope we can do to oppositions, but it's going to be tough."

England can cap a fine summer with a whitewash of India at The Oval and Pietersen is determined to go for the jugular.

"That is a target, a huge target because I played against Australia when we did get hammered and it's a horrible place to be," he said. "So if we can inflict a similar defeat on India, it would be amazing for us."

Pietersen has called on England to guard against complacency as he feels there will be people ready to knock them off their perch.

"I don't think we want to make too much of being No 1 in the world because in England it's a dangerous place to be," Pietersen said. "I know, first hand, that as soon as you reach somewhere, people like to clean you out. But if we concentrate like we have this week, then why won't we improve and continue getting these results?"

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.