Pietersen shines as Stars reach maiden BBL final

Kevin Pietersen scored a quick-fire 62, helping Melbourne Stars beat Perth Scorchers by seven wickets in the second semi-final of Big Bash League (BBL) 2015-16 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Friday (January 22).Pietersen's 36-ball innings had crisp drives, fancy switch-hits and big lofted strokes over mid wicket as he looked suave with the bat, reminiscent of his best cricket days. With his third half-century of the tournament, the England star powered Stars to their maiden BBL final.

Stars' victory also ended Perth Scorchers' streak of four consecutive final appearances in the tournament. Having finished runners-up in the first two editions and winners in the next two, this is the first time that Perth Scorchers won't be featuring in the summit clash.

Chasing 140, Stars got off to a slow start. Luke Wright and Marcus Stoinis, the openers, refused to play risky shots against the left-arm pacers - David Willey and Jason Beherendorff, the new-ball bowlers.Wright succumbed while looking to play a lofted half-volley over cover. Adam Voges took a superb catch at short cover to get the first breakthrough for the defending champions.

However, that wicket happened to make way for Pietersen's arrival at the crease. The English batsman batted with authority and put on 69 runs for the second wicket with Stoinis. The duo worked the ball around gaps for easy singles and twos, along with timely boundaries, and brought the required rate to less than six an over.By the time Stoinis departed, Stars were in a comfortable position.

Pietersen failed to stay till the end, bowled by Joel Paris while trying to play a reverse sweep off the fast bowler soon after reaching his half-century. However, Peter Handscomb and David Hussey didn't let the initiative go out of hand and as they took Stars over the line with 11 deliveries to spare.

Earlier, Stars won the toss and elected to field. Daniel Worrall snapped two wickets early to put the Scorchers on the back foot. The veteran duo of Michael Klinger and Voges consolidated the innings, but failed to get the scoreboard moving at a brisk pace. They put on 79 runs off 67 balls for the third wicket, althoughnumerous efforts to hit the big shot went in vain as the Stars bowlers maintained a disciplined line.

The wicket offered good bounce, but the pace wasn't to the liking of the batsmen, who were struggling to time the ball cleanly.The useful partnership between Klinger and Voges offered a good platform for the lower-middle order to exploit. But with wickets falling at regular intervals, Scorchers could not flourish at the death, managing 30 runs off the last fours overs as they were restricted to 139 for 7.

Stars will meet Sydney Thunder in the final to be played at the MCG on Sunday.

Brief scores: Perth Scorchers 139/7 in 20 overs (Michael Klinger 44, Adam Voges 52; Daniel Worral 3-25, Michael Beer 1-22) lost to Melbourne Stars 140/3 in 18.1 overs (Marcus Stoinis 44, Kevin Pietersen 62; Brad Hogg 1-20, David Williey 1-22) by seven wickets.