Kevin Pietersen puts bright Melbourne Stars in Big Bash final

Pietersen was out with victory in sight, bowled missing an audacious switch-hit

Kevin Pietersen and David Hussey of the Melbourne Stars embrace after winning the Big Bash League Semi Final match against the Perth Scorchers at Melbourne Cricket Ground. (Getty Images)

Kevin Pietersen powered Melbourne Stars into tomorrow’s Big Bash final, hitting 62 off 36 balls in a seven-wicket win over Perth Scorchers at the MCG yesterday.

The Stars always appeared set for a successful semi-final chase after the Scorchers had made 139 for 7 – the visitors’ captain Adam Voges hitting 52 and seamer Daniel Worrall getting 3 for 25.

Pietersen then shared stands of 69 with Marcus Stoinis and 46 with Peter Handscomb.He passed his 50 off just 31 balls, having hit four fours and also a six over long-off from the bowling of England all-rounder David Willey.

Pietersen was out with victory in sight, bowled missing an audacious switch-hit at a Joel Paris delivery. But the Stars comfortably completed the job with 11 balls to spare, booking their place in their first final – against Sydney Scorchers – in the same week Pietersen confirmed he has signed a new contract with them for the next two years.

It was Pietersen’s third half-century in eight innings in this year’s competition. He has scored 249 runs at an average of 35, with a strike rate of 151.

Meanwhile, Stuart Broad has been added to England’s one-day squad against South Africa as a replacement for the injured Liam Plunkett.

Broad rose to No 1 in the Test bowling rankings after his match-winning performance in Johannesburg last week but has not featured in a limited-overs squad since last year’s World Cup.

Plunkett was a replacement for Steven Finn (side strain) but will remain with England Lions as he recovers from a thigh problem.