The Ram Slam T20 is always an exciting event to look forward to in the South African cricket calendar. What makes this 2016 edition of the tournament even more exciting is the return of England “bad boy” Kevin Pietersen to the Durban-based Sunfoil Dolphins: a team bringing in all the firepower available to chase the title.
Pietersen’s return to his home nation has come with a bang, showing off the skill and talent the English Cricket Board is continuing to ignore.
Kevin Pietersen is Back with a Bang in Ram Slam T20
Pietersen has featured in all four games so far for the Dolphins but began his campaign on a slightly disappointing note, scoring just 22 against the Titans, a game which his team later went on to win by six runs.
However, the powerful hitting was not far away and by match two his form had truly returned after a mammoth unbeaten innings of 115 runs off just 66 balls which not only saw the Man of the Match award head Pietersen’s way but a new Ran Slam T20 record set. Pietersen hit the fastest century ever in the competition, a mere 45 balls, during his monstrous innings.
What made his innings even more impressive was the situation Pietersen’s met when he stepped out onto the pitch. The Dolphins were in all sorts of trouble at 87-6 and it was solely because of KP’s innings that they were able to post a competitive score.
Fast forward two days and Pietersen was at it again, this time scoring an unbeaten century which helped the Dolphins cruise to a nine-wicket victory against the Knights.
His latest innings of 68 runs of 44 balls seems a little less impressive compared to the previous innings but considering he scored the highest individual total for his team, his contribution was invaluable yet again.
Along with holding the record for the fastest century, KP also holds the record for the most sixes hit so far in the competition and at the rate he hits them, it might be near impossible for anyone else to get close.
Pietersen has one final game remaining before he departs for Australia to feature in the Big Bash League after fulfilling his five-match contract but his return to home soil and phenomenal form has been a treat for all to witness. However, with a combined total of 305 runs in just four matches to his name, along with three Man of the Match awards, his final appearance is set to be a cracker.
The Dolphins can continue reaping the rewards of the risk they took signing him into their squad well after he departs as they comfortably sit far ahead of their oppositions, making their battle for the title look like child’s play.
