Pietersen thumps SA

A quickfire half-century from Kevin Pietersen put England on track for a semi-final berth with a convincing victory against South Africa in the World Twenty20.

Pietersen’s high-class 53 was at the heart of England’s 168 against the land of his birth at the Kensington Oval.

The star batsman, named man-of-the-match for the second time in as many fixtures after his unbeaten 73 in a six-wicket Super Eights win over defending champions Pakistan on Thursday, then revealed he was leaving the Caribbean to be with wife Jessica, who is expecting the couple’s first child.

However, Pietersen said he hoped to return from London to the West Indies should England qualify for the semi-finals.

“I’m flying back to London in the next 24 hours and hoping everything goes well and according to plan, there’s no complications,” Pietersen said.

“If we get through to the semi-finals, I’ll come in the day before the semi-finals.”

Pietersen, whose innings helped put England in sight of a last four spot, has struggled with both form and fitness at international level for over a year, with a right Achilles injury ruling him out of the majority of the 2009 Ashes series win over Australia.

“I’ve had a really rough last 12-14 months so it’s nice to be back again,” Pietersen said.

Pietersen shared a stand of 94 in just under 12 overs with fellow South Africa-born batsman Craig Kieswetter, who made 41.

The pair relished the pace of fast bowlers Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, whose combined eight overs cost a hugely expensive 90 runs.

Pietersen struck a huge six over long-on off Steyn and then casually advanced down the pitch to drive him for four.

But former South Africa Under-19 international Kieswetter had made just seven when he guided Morkel straight to third man only for the Proteas’ joy to be cut short because the delivery was a no-ball.

England Twenty20 captain Paul Collingwood was delighted by a dominant display that delighted the massed ranks of England fans in the crowd.

“There are a lot of England fans in here and I wanted us to put on a good performance and we’ve done that,” he said.

South Africa captain Graeme Smith said his side had been well beaten.

“Credit to England, they were far better than us today, especially in the first 10 overs.

“In general it was a very disappointing day for us and we have to make sure we bounce back.”

South Africa suffered a dramatic top-order collapse against England spinners Graeme Swann (3-24) and Michael Yardy (2-26).

The Proteas lost 4-19 runs as 1-34 was transformed into 5-53.

Left-arm quick Ryan Sidebottom (3-23) ended the match with an over to spare by bowling Morne Morkel as South Africa were dismissed for 129.

Victory left England with two wins from two second round matches.

However, it is possible for three of the four sides in a pool that also features New Zealand to end the second round, which concludes for Group E teams in St Lucia.

If that is the case, net run-rate will decide which two teams go through to the last four.

But if Pakistan beat South Africa, England will be in the semi-finals before their match against New Zealand.