Thursday 20 July 2017 12:02, UK
Kevin Pietersen hit four sixes in an over on his Surrey return to help secure a 10-run T20 Blast win over Essex at The Oval.
The former England star top-scored with a 35-ball 52 in the first game of his summer stint as Surrey posted 150-9 from their allocation before restricting the Eagles to 140-7.
Pietersen took a particular shine to Simon Harmer's off-spin, carting the South African for four maximums in a 10th over that cost the visitors 26 runs, although a calf strain prevented him from fielding during the Essex run chase.
Surrey's off-spinner fared better during that chase, Gareth Batty removing England hopeful Tom Westley and Adam Wheater with successive deliveries to leave Essex 80-4 in the 12th over.
Ravi Bopara's lively knock was ended on 24 when he miscued Jade Dernbach to long-off, and a stiff 34 off the final three overs proved beyond Essex as Tom Curran's impressive death bowling yielded two wickets.
Victory was Surrey's third from five South Group games, while Essex have won just once in five.
The evening's North Group fixture was won by Derbyshire, who beat winless Worcestershire by seven wickets thanks to a 93-run partnership between Billy Godleman and Wayne Madsen.
The visitors chased down Worcestershire's 186-5 with 10 balls to spare at New Road, Godleman clearing the ropes twice in a 42-ball 70 and Madsen seeing them home with an unbeaten 58.
Mitchell Santner took two wickets for Worcestershire, whose opener Joe Clarke had earlier hit 42 from just 18 deliveries.
