KP back in Durbs for short T20 stint

Pietersen, who has been dabbling in the world of cricket commentary during the Proteas-Australia Test series, will have a busy two months ahead of him.

The former England international linked up with the Dolphins earlier this week ahead of their third T20 Challenge clash with the Titans in Bloemfontein on Sunday. He will jet off back to Australia after the match to commentate in the third and final Test between South Africa and Australia - which is a day/night pink ball Test.

He will return to Durban after the Proteas' series finale for a further four T20 clashes.

Having made a cameo in the competition last year, Pietersen maintains that it has been easy returning to the setup despite a number of changes in the team. Lance Klusener has been replaced by current coach Grant Morgan in the time since Pietersen was last in Durban and former CEO Pete de Wet is now living and working in New Zealand.

Nevertheless, Pietersen said he felt at home in the Dolphins change room.

“Because it’s something I know, it’s comfortable to jump back into it. It would be hard if it was a brand new setup and I was here for three or four days and then had to jump back on a plane on Sunday night then come back in a week’s time,” Pietersen said after a hot practice session at the Sahara Stadium Kingsmead.

“I’m very comfortable and that is why when we decided to sign up that I knew it would be easy to do. I would never have done it with a new franchise.

“I can’t turn up there for three days not knowing anybody. I mean I walk into the dressing room now and it’s like ‘hi guys’, it’s as if I’ve been part of the squad and setup for a number of years.

“It’s easy, there is no awkwardness or uncomfortable feeling, I’ve walked back in and there are no issues. That’s the only reason how this can work,” Pietersen said.

Morgan reiterated the fact that having a player of Pietersen’s calibre was hugely beneficial to the team.

“I’ve worked with Kev once before in the IPL back in 2009. He was captaining Royal Challengers Bangalore – we had a young side featuring the likes of Virat Kohli and Kev came in and he really catapulted the energy in that side,” the coach said.

“I knew when he came back here it’s a case of getting a world class player, I’m not going to honey-coat it, it is a fact. What that does is lift the standards of the other guys. The guys get excited, he’s a world-class figure, a confident person and it rubs off on the rest of the team. You could feel it this morning, the guys are excited and it’s a great opportunity for our team.”

"I'm just glad we’ve got Kev for the Titans game – they are just that type of team. They’ve got some international players in their side, they come out and bully other teams with that and they’ve earned it.

"If we can have someone who can transfer pressure onto the other team, that’s a privilege. Kev’s here for one, we’re going to take that with both hands and revel in what will hopefully be a good performance. It’s a T20 game and anything can happen.

“We’re not going to look to Kev to be the one that we rely on and that is the way we’ve lined up our side. Hopefully by the time he get’s back we’ve got something to work with, I think Wednesday night showed that we are on the right track," Morgan said.

After a drubbing in the first match of the competition, the Dolphins got back to winning ways on Wednesday night with a 49 run victory over the Highveld Lions.

The Dolphins clash with the Titans on Sunday - play get's underway at 10h00. 

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