Saturday 12 November 2016 11:21, UK
Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen will again line up for the Sunfoil Dolphins in the 2016/17 Ram Slam.
The 36-year-old impressed for the franchise in the Twenty20 event last year and has signed a deal to play five group matches for the South African team, who represent the KwaZulu-Natal province.
Pietersen will turn out in the second half of the round-robin stage and will also be involved if the Dolphins manage to reach the knockout phase.
The Dolphins reached the final last year and Pietersen played a key role, making two centuries as he racked up 401 runs at an average of 80.20 in just seven innings.
Pietersen has been on the sidelines since April, having picked up an injury while he was playing in the Indian Premier League, and he is looking forward to returning to action.
"I'm as excited as anything to have signed with the Dolphins again," said Pietersen.
"I had such a wonderful season with them last season and I really enjoyed the team, the camaraderie and the competition, so it was a very easy decision to sign again for this season's T20 competition.
"It will be great to get back on to the cricket field again and I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone in Durban again as well.
"Here's to a successful campaign."
New Dolphins head coach, Grant Morgan, added: "I was privileged enough to spend some time with Kevin during my time at Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL back in 2009.
"He was captain of that side and made an indelible impact on all the players, especially the youngsters. It's great to have Kevin coming back and playing for the Dolphins again this season.
"He is a world class player in all formats of the game and, in T20, he is no doubt one of the best there has ever been."
Born in Pietermaritzburg, Pietersen represented England at senior international level and played 104 Tests and 136 one-day internationals, before he was controversially dropped following the 5-0 Ashes defeat in 2013-14.
