Big Bash: Kevin Pietersen leads Melbourne Stars to final

The final will feature the Hussey brothers, Mike and David, as opposing captains, with Sydney skipper Mike Hussey, 40, playing his final competitive match in Australia.

After being asked to bat by the Stars, the Scorchers lost their opener Marcus Harris in the first over, caught by Rob Quiney off Daniel Worrall. However, few changes are very likely to happen in their squad.

Pietersen’s 62 from only 36 balls (five fours, two sixes) means he will be in action again on the big stage in Sunday’s showpiece match against Sydney Thunder back at the Stars’ MCG home.

After a tight opening spell from the Scorchers the 69-run partnership between Pietersen and Marcus Stoinis (44) put Melbourne well on course for the final, with the former beginning his assault on the bowling attack.

The 35-year-old swapped barbs with fellow Englishman David Willey as he cracked 12 runs off the Perth paceman’s third over.

Even though the Scorchers are adept at defending targets the Stars chose to field first, perhaps influenced by the lingering threat of rain and the trait of adjusted targets typically favouring the chasing team. He did not swing the ball as much this time around but was just as effective, taking 2-13 in the powerplay on the way to claiming 3-25 from his four overs.

Carberry finished the tournament with 87 runs at 21.7.

The hosts missed two chances to dismiss Voges on 23 in the 11th over.

Poor batting was less of a factor than relentless bowling, with spinners Adam Zampa and Michael Beer (both 1-22) and swing-bowler Ben Hilfenhaus (1-28) also able to hold their heads high. This early wicket brought Kevin Pietersen to crease, who started off with a bang, hitting two boundaries off the first three balls he faced. By the time Stoinis was dismissed by Hogg in the 12th over, the damage done was irreparable.

The experience of Pietersen then came to the fore. The veteran duo of Michael Klinger and Voges consolidated the innings, but failed to get the scoreboard moving at a brisk pace.