Kevin Pietersen blasts ECB after stunning Big Bash debut

The controversial England exile had a best of 39 in 12 matches for Surrey in last year's NatWest T20 Blast, but rediscovered his form against Adelaide Strikers, hitting four sixes and two fours in his 44-ball stay.

And after the match, the South African-born star goaded the England selectors about his performance - a knock which was in stark contrast to the form of England ODI skipper Alastair Cook, and the rest of the struggling England limited overs side.

"Someone told me the England selectors were meeting this morning," Pietersen said.

"I hope they’ve got a screen on.”

Pietersen's words quickly earned approval from another past captain: Michael Vaughan

Another out-of-favour Englishman, Luke Wright, was the only other player to reach double figures in the Stars' 148 for seven, the Sussex all-rounder hitting 45 in 37 deliveries.

Pietersen hooked his second ball for six and added two more maximums from successive deliveries immediately after the bowler, Kieron Pollard, aborted his run-up in response to an attempted switch-hit.

A single took him to his half-century in 38 balls and he added one more six off Laughlin before lobbing Kane Richardson to midwicket in the final over of the innings.

Wright, who has excelled in the BBL before, shared a stand of 57 with Pietersen and scored seven boundaries of his own.