Kevin Pietersen arrived in a flap for the Big Bash League and the Melbourne Stars batsman will soon be back at the airport to make a dash home for the birth of his second child.
Pietersen will represent the Stars on Friday and Sunday, facing Adelaide away before tackling Sydney Thunder at the MCG.
As was the case in 2014, he will then journey home to be with wife Jessica Taylor in England for Christmas.
Pietersen will fly out on Monday.
It's understood he will miss the Stars' clash with Sydney Sixers at the SCG on December 27.
The franchise expect the 35-year-old will be back on deck for the derby date with the Melbourne Renegades on January 2.
It was a somewhat similar story in 2010, when Pietersen flew back from the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean to be present at the birth of the couple's first child.
The Sixers expected an excellent crowd despite Pietersen's absence.
"We believe members and fans will come out to see a great contest, not individual players," a spokesperson said.
"Ticket sales are already strong for this match."
Pietersen hit the headlines soon after landing in Melbourne on Monday - but it had nothing to do with his baby on the way, batting or the BBL.
He lambasted Qantas on Twitter for being "muppets", having been refused entry to the airline's lounge while in transit between South Africa and Melbourne due to the fact he was wearing thongs.
"You'll have to direct that question to the CEO," Stars skipper David Hussey laughed on Wednesday, when asked if the club was supplying Pietersen with some new footwear.
Stars vice-captain James Faulkner had a friendly dig at Pietersen.
"He's already complaining ... I don't understand when you go into a first-class or business-class lounge with thongs on? I don't know who he thinks he is," 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."
On the field, Pietersen is coming off a productive T20 stint in South Africa.
Pietersen's KwaZulu-Natal Dolphins lost the final but he posted two centuries in the tournament, tallying 401 runs at an impressive average of 80.20.
"He's going well. He'll have a hit today in Adelaide and I think he'll be ready to go," Hussey said.
"He had a bit of a run around yesterday, had a massage and just chilled out."
Michael Clarke was set to lead the Stars but opted against playing in the BBL shortly after his Test retirement.
Melbourne Renegades skipper Aaron Finch, speaking alongside Hussey after both men signed a responsible gambling charter at the MCG, joked his counterpart "pushed" Clarke out.
"Yep. I knifed Michael Clarke," Hussey quipped.
"Michael's still a part of the Melbourne Stars.
"He's more than welcome in our dressing room, he's a fantastic person and a fantastic person to pick the brain of."
Share
