KP joins South Africa's T20 slam

Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen will return to the province of his birth after signing with the Durban-based Dolphins franchise in South Africa’s Ram Slam Twenty20 competition.

The 35-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 was born in the city of Pietermaritzburg, 60km from Durban, but moved to England in 2001 where he went on to become the highest runs-scorer of all time for his adopted country, finishing with 13,779 runs to his name across all formats when he was sacked after the 5-0 defeat in the 2013-14 Ashes series.

He said he was delighted to return to the place where his career started.

“Having grown up there it is obviously a place that means something quite special to me and to have the opportunity to play there again is something I’m really looking forward to,” Pietersen said.

The powerful right-hander will travel to South Africa next month to prepare for the competition, before playing five matches for the Dolphins between October 29 and November 15.

He will then head to Australia for the BBL|05 season, with the Stars’ first outing against Adelaide Strikers on December 18.

Watch: Pietersen sizzles on BBL debut 

Former South African allrounder Lance Klusener, coach of the Dolphins, said he was thrilled to have signed Pietersen.

"He is here to lead our batting as well as work closely with our youngsters," Klusener said.

Pietersen finished second in the run-scoring ranks in BBL|04, scoring 293 runs at 41.86.

Watch: Pietersen blasts crucial half-century

He made a bid to return to the England set-up earlier this year, but his hopes of an international recall were dashed in May by England director of cricket Andrew Strauss, who told the controversial batsman he would not be considered for selection during the Ashes.

It is a decision the former England captain now believes helped the hosts regain the urn.

"I think that clarity has helped," Strauss said at a conference in Manchester on Monday.

"The danger at that time was that particular issue would overshadow everything that happened on the pitch over the course of the summer.

"What I was trying to do was provide clarity going forward so everyone knew where they stood.

"I think the team has moved on and the team is in a pretty good place. Some of those young guys have established themselves and that's what we will be focusing on taking England forward."