Kevin Pietersen guides Dolphins into South Africa T20 final

KP hit 27 off ten balls as the Dolphins beat the Cape Cobras by five runs in a knock-out eliminator.

Johannesburg: Kevin Pietersen continued his successful return to his country of birth on Wednesday when he helped the KwaZulu-Natal Dolphins reach the final of South Africa`s Twenty20 franchise competition.

The former England batsman hit 27 off ten balls as the Dolphins beat the Cape Cobras by five runs in a knock-out eliminator. 

The Dolphins will meet the Titans in the final at Centurion on Saturday.

Pietersen, who flies to Melbourne on Sunday to play in Australia`s Big Bash T20 event, will go into the final on top of the competition batting averages with 391 runs at an average of 97.75. 

But he said the star of Wednesday`s match was 19-year-old all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo.

The Cobras needed nine runs off the last over with four wickets in hand but lost two wickets, one to a run-out, and could only add three runs. Phehlukwayo took two for 28.

"It`s just brilliant," said Pietersen. "It`s T20 cricket at its best. It`s a great victory for the lads. Andile was just brilliant in the last over. He`s got such a calm head on his shoulders."

Openers Morne van Wyk and Craig Delport put on 99 for the first wicket to set up a Dolphins` total of 178 for three. 

South African T20 international discard Richard Levi slammed 85 off 43 balls before the Cobras lost their way, finishing on 173 for eight.