KP signs on for South Africa's slam

Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen will make his return from a spell on the sidelines in South Africa's domestic Twenty20 competition, after re-signing with the Durban-based Dolphins franchise.

The 36-year-old will play in the tournament in the lead-up to this year’s KFC Big Bash League season, where he will again don the green of the Melbourne Stars.

Pietersen will play five matches for the Dolphins before heading down under for BBL06, with the Stars’ first outing against Hobart Hurricanes on December 26.

The tournament will likely mark Pietersen's return to professional cricket after being ruled out of the Indian Premier League earlier this year due to a torn calf.

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The South African-born batsman was at his best during last year's Ram Slam, blasting 401 runs in just seven innings – including two hundreds and two fifties at an average of 80.20 and a strike of 172.84 – form he carried into the Big Bash season, where he plundered 323 runs at a strike rate of 159.11 as the Stars fell short in the final against the Sydney Thunder.

"I’m as excited as anything to have signed with the Dolphins again," Pietersen said.

"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 getting back onto the cricket field again and I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone in Durban again as well."

Pietersen will make his first on-field appearance since the injury in a one-off appearance as one of the key attractions for a Cricket United charity match.

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The match, to be held at The Oval on 22 September, will be Pietersen’s only appearance in England this year after opting to sit out the current season of the domestic T20 competition.

Former England stars Michael Vaughan and Mark Butcher have been locked in as coaches of the teams, a Surrey All-Stars XI and a Cricket United XI, while current ODI opener Jason Roy will also feature in the action. The remaining players will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Cricket United consists of three cricket charities – Lord’s Taverners, Chance to Shine and the PCA Benevolent Fund – and the Surrey Cricket Club has also confirmed the KP24 Foundation will be among other charities to receive a percentage of funds raised on the day.