If Chris Gayle was hoping to get a rise out of Kevin Pietersen ahead of Saturday night's Big Bash League clash between Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades, the West Indian was left disappointed.
Gayle engaged in a bit of friendly banter ahead of the important local derby when he used his regular Fairfax column to claim that he was not only a bigger hitter than Pietersen, but also a better entertainer.
Pietersen, however, was happy to concede both points when he spoke to reporters on Friday.
"There's no way I can hit a ball as far as him," Pietersen said.
"But it doesn't matter how far you hit the ball as long as you clear the ropes."
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Pietersen, however, did allow himself to return fire briefly over Gayle's claim that he didn't watch much cricket because he can't watch himself in full flight.
"He watches himself ... don't worry," Pietersen said, smiling broadly.
"He's the world boss - the self-proclaimed world boss - or the universe boss on his social media feeds.
"That's the way he goes about his business - he's a wonderful entertainer. When he turns up I watch him play - I'd pay to watch him play."
Pietersen returned from his brief trip to England for the birth of his second child at 5am on New Year's Day and trained with Stars at the MCG on Friday afternoon.
His inclusion in Stars' lineup couldn't come at a better time.
Both teams have just one win from their first three BBL matches and Pietersen admitted a loss to Renegades would make every game thereafter a must-win proposition.
But Stars notched their first win of BBL05, against Sydney Sixers, in Pietersen's absence and the 35-year-old believes his side is capable of getting on a roll and winning their first Big Bash title.
"I wouldn't have come back if I didn't think so - I would have stayed at home and cuddled a baby," he said.
"That's the nature of T20 cricket - you can get on the bandwagon of winning and you can get on the bandwagon of losing as well.
"Luckily we've broken that losing streak ... and there are good signs."
Pietersen was added to a 13-man squad along with bowlers John Hastings and Jackson Coleman, while Renegades added new signing Ben McDermott, son of former Australian quick Craig McDermott to their extended lineup.
