Intro:

The Delhi Daredevils held a practice session at the New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Wednesday, ahead of their fist game in the 2012 Champions League T20 tournament against fellow IPL (Indian Premier League) side Kolkata Knight Riders in Centurion on Saturday.

Script:

The Delhi Daredevils held a net session at the New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Wednesday, three days before their opening fixture at the Champions League T20 tournament.

Most attention was focused on star batsman Kevin Pietersen, who remains the centre of controversy, even after his well-publicised 'rapprochement' with the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Pietersen originally caused upset to the England hierarchy, fellow players and fans by sending a series of text messages to members of the South African squad during their Test series in England over the summer.

The messages appeared to criticise then captain Andrew Strauss, who subsequently retired from cricket after England lost the series and their 'number one' Test status.

Pietersen was dropped for the final Test and omitted from England's World T20 squad in Sri Lanka, where Stuart Broad's defending champions went out in the 'Super Eights' stage.

The South African-born batsman went on to apologise, sign a new four-month central contract with the ECB and is currently involved in a so-called 'reintegration process' with England team mates and officials.

He could yet participate in England's forthcoming tour to India.

But the row continues to rumble on following England cricket chief David Collier's assertion that some members of the South African side had provoked Pietersen into sending the now infamous text messages.

Collier's assertion has angered some South African players, according to Tony Irish, chief executive of the South African Cricketers' Association, and an apology is being demanded.

So far none has been forthcoming, but the latest episode in the Pietersen saga just seems to keep the player in the spotlight.

That may work to the benefit of his Delhi team-mates, who can quietly prepare for their opening Group A game against fellow IPL side Kolkata Knight Riders in Centurion on Saturday, knowing that most of the media attention is concentrated elsewhere.