THERE was a miserable return to the England team for Hampshire ace Kevin Pietersen yesterday.
The Rose Bowl star made his eagerly-awaited comeback in the second T20 international against the country he was born in.
It was his first competitive innings since making 44 in the second innings of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s back in mid-July.
By the time Pietersen came to the crease, though, England were already staring at a huge defeat.
A world-record 170-run opening partnership from Graeme Smith (88) and Loots Bosman (94) had helped the hosts reach a massive 241 for six, the second highest 20-over total ever, at Centurion.
It was also the highest ever partnership for any wicket in T20 internationals.
The only higher score was Sri Lanka’s 260-6 against minnows Kenya in 2007.
Disciplined bowling then helped restrict England to 157 for eight to win by 84 runs.
Pietersen was second top scorer behind Jonathan Trott (51) with 29 off 19 balls, with two sixes and a four.
Full story in today's Daily Echo
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