BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (AFP) — Kevin Pietersen laid the platform for a commanding 39-run victory over his native South Africa as England took a giant stride towards the World Twenty20 semi-finals here yesterday.

Pietersen’s high-class 53 was at the heart of England’s 168-7 against the land of his birth at the Kensington Oval.

The star batsman, named Man of the Match for the second time in as many fixtures after his unbeaten 73 in a six-wicket Super Eights win over defending champions Pakistan on Thursday, then revealed he was leaving the Caribbean to be with wife Jessica, who is expecting the couple’s first child.

However, Pietersen said he hoped to return from London to the West Indies should England qualify for the semi-finals.

Pietersen, whose innings helped put England in sight of a last four spot, has struggled with both form and fitness at international level for over a year, with a right Achilles injury ruling him out of the majority of the 2009 Ashes series win over Australia.

England Twenty20 captain Paul Collingwood was delighted by a dominant display that delighted the massed ranks of England fans in the crowd.

South Africa captain Graeme Smith said his side had been well beaten.

South Africa suffered a dramatic top-order collapse against England spinners Graeme Swann (3-24) and Michael Yardy (2-26).

The Proteas lost four wickets for 19 runs as 34-1 was transformed into 53-5.

Left-arm quick Ryan Sidebottom (3-23) ended the match with an over to spare by bowling Morne Morkel as South Africa were dismissed for 129.

Victory left England with two wins from two second-round matches.

However, it is possible for three of the four sides in a pool that also features New Zealand to end the second round, which concludes for Group E teams in St Lucia on Monday, with two wins each.