Rest of the World's Kevin Pietersen signs autographs during a cricket match against MCC to celebrate 200 years of Lord's at Lord's cricket ground in London, July 5, 2014.
Rest of the World's Kevin Pietersen signs autographs during a cricket match against MCC to celebrate 200 years of Lord's at Lord's cricket ground in London, July 5, 2014. REUTERS, Philip Brown

The fourth edition of the Big Bash League season got underway yesterday with a match between Melbourne Stars and Adelaide Strikers. The previous three editions were won by the Sydney Sixers, Brisbane Heat and the Perth Scorchers in that order. In total there will be 35 matches played and the final match will be played on Jan. 28, 2015 at the Manuka Oval, Canberra. Incidentally the final of the first three events were all held at the WACA Ground, the home of the Perth Scorchers. Perth Scorchers are also the most consistent team appearing in all three finals and eventually winning the last one.

The first match saw Melbourne Stars winning the toss and batting first. They reached a par score of 148 mainly thanks to a swashbuckling 66 off 44 balls from Kevin Pietersen. Adelaide Strikers make light work of that total when Tim Ludeman scored a record fastest half century, in just 18 deliveries, in the Big Bash League history and won them the match with utter ease. Ludeman remained not out on 92 in just 44 balls and was awarded the player of the match.

There has been a lot of hue and cry regarding Kevin Pietersen's participation in the Big Bash League after he was acrimoniously left out of the England national side. His reported remuneration of $250,000 for under two months of cricket has also raised questions as to whether he is worth that amount of money or not. Judging by cricketing and commercial angles he is worth every penny of it.

At 34, Kevin Pietersen still has a couple of years left in him as he plays purely as a batsman. He has proven T20 hitting capabilities around the world and brings to the team an experienced tactical brain along with his world class hitting skills. Unlike the Indian Premier League where all the Indian national team members participate, during the Big Bash League the Australian National Cricket team are playing a full series against India. This means that participation of big stars in the matches will not happen. Kevin Pietersen brings with him that much needed star quality that the organisers can cash into. Remember his team, the Melbourne Stars, play at the Melbourne Cricket Ground which has the largest audience capacity in all of Australia. His presence will sell more tickets for sure.

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