Kevin Pietersen to leave Big Bash for delivery of his second child

Just-arrived Kevin Pietersen will play only two games for the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League and head back to England next week to be with his wife Jessica Taylor for the birth of their second child

Melbourne: Just-arrived Kevin Pietersen will play only two games for the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League and head back to England next week to be with his wife Jessica Taylor for the birth of their second child.


Kevin Pietersen and Jessica Taylor. Pics/Getty Images

Pietersen's Melbourne Stars play Adelaide Srikers today before Sunday's home game against Sydney Thunder at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Pietersen will fly out on Monday.

The former England captain will return to the Twenty20 extravaganza early next year. It can be recalled that Pietersen flew home during the ICC World T20 in the West Indies to be present for the birth of his first child.

Earlier in the week, Pietersen made headlines when he called Australian carrier Qantas "muppets" after he was refused entry to a lounge because he was wearing flip flops.

"I suggest you tell Platinum, First Class fliers that they not allowed in your lounges with flip flops before they fly, @Qantas! Muppets!," he tweeted.

His 2.88 million followers also read: "And BTW, @Qantas! Thongs (flip flops) are an institution in this great country! GET A GRIP! Tired, jet lagged & just wanted to chill! #Muppets."

Qantas responded: "@KP24. It must have been disappointing Kevin. Changes from earlier this year. Hope to welcome you back again soon."

Melbourne Stars vice-captain James Faulkner told Fox Sports: "He's different... you either love him or you hate him. I think last year during the Big Bash a lot of fans actually started to really love him." Pietersen and Taylor tied the knot on December 29, 2007 at St Andrew's Church in Castle Combe, Wiltshire. His former teammate Darren Gough was his best man.

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