PENNY Pietersen became one of the nation’s most famous sporting mothers almost overnight this week after her son Kevin’s Ashes-winning heroics at the Oval on Monday.

Canterbury-born Mrs Pietersen, nee Thomas, was a proud spectator as the 25-year-old South African-born star scored his first test hundred to help England end a 16-year-wait to regain the most famous trophy in world cricket.

Kent were close to signing Pietersen last year when he declared an intention to leave Nottinghamshire, but he chose to sign for Hampshire instead.

Mrs Pietersen left Canterbury at the age of four, when her father Norman’s job as a pit manager took him to Lancashire, and emigrated to South Africa in 1968, settling in Transvaal.

She met husband Jannie, and Kevin is one of three brothers.

Mrs Pietersen was much in demand with appearances on national TV and radio on Tuesday morning as the whole country was caught up in Ashes fever.

Speaking to the Sun, Pietersen said: “I flew her over from Durban to be here and I first spotted her on the balcony when I had scored 90.

“That was a special moment – she gave a signal to say '10 more runs’.”