Pietersen braces for Durban homecoming

Controversial England batsman Kevin Pietersen hopes to end his topsy-turvy 2009 by playing a match-winning role on the Kingsmead ground where he learnt his trade.

Controversial England batsman Kevin Pietersen hopes to end his topsy-turvy 2009 by playing a match-winning role on the Kingsmead ground where he learnt his trade.

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The South African-born batsman, who started the year by losing the England captaincy and was sidelined during the Ashes through injury, has shrugged off the significance of his return to his former home where the second Test gets underway on Saturday.

“It’s not all about me playing in Durban; it’s about the team coming here and doing special things. Playing for England in South Africa is something I love and enjoy,” said Pietersen.

Pietersen made 40 and 81 in the drawn first Test at Centurion and refuses to believe that 2009 has been a year to forget.

“It’s true 2009 hasn’t been fun. But life isn’t always good,” he said.

England captain Andrew Strauss said he was confident in the ability of his batsmen to deal with what is likely to be an improved South African bowling attack.

Fast bowler Dale Steyn, who was ruled out of the first Test before the start because of a hamstring injury, is set to return, while Jacques Kallis is likely to feature as a bowler as well as a batsman after a rib injury restricted him to just three overs on the final day at Centurion.