Kevin Pietersen remains on course to redeem the worst year of his career after coming through his first outdoor knock since injury brought his Ashes campaign to a premature end in July.

Although Pietersen admits to having “good days and bad days” with his Achilles tendon — and says that he suffered one of the latter as recently as Tuesday after a long flight from England — he still has the one-day series against South Africa beginning a week tomorrow firmly in his sights.

The rest of the squad joined Pietersen in Johannesburg yesterday before the first Twenty20 international, which takes place tomorrow, and found their premier batsman in a characteristically enthusiastic mood. “I am so proud of what they have done and it feels so good to be back in an England tracksuit,” he said.

A refreshed Pietersen, who practised at the Wanderers in the afternoon, hopes that his longest break from cricket will prompt a turnaround in fortunes. At the start of 2009 he lost the captaincy after a failed putsch against the coaching staff and was then understandably some way from the forefront before injury struck.

Worse followed his Achilles surgery: the wound became infected after Pietersen was given the all clear to resume running before the healing process was complete, it is thought. “I do know what happened, but I will save that until the end of my career,” he said. “I am out here to concentrate on cricket.

“This has not been the greatest year for me so far, but I truly believe I can turn that around. I love playing in South Africa. The pitches are good, the weather is good and it is a fantastic country — a recipe for runs. I have never had a rest like this before, and I can well advise it.”

Pietersen laughs at the memory of the 24-year-old who first strutted back to his homeland in England colours wearing the gone, but never forgotten, “skunk” haircut, revelling in his freshly acquired celebrity status and unperturbed by a regular presence in the front end of the tabloid newspapers.

He said: “I was still growing up, single and having a great time. My career hadn’t had too many knocks. I’ve grown up since then, got married, settled down and become more mature. All right, 2009 has been a smack like nothing else, but it is all part of learning. It has been a fantastic ride and I want to jump back on.”

In 2005 he did not so much break through as blast the house down. Three one-day hundreds included the fastest by any England batsman, from 69 balls. He struck 454 runs from 430 balls in six innings. But, for those who followed the tour, the spiteful reception at the first game at the Wanderers remains as vivid as his audacious strokeplay.

Far from being reviled from Cape to Kruger, Pietersen is very friendly with Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher, Roelof van der Merwe and Dale Steyn. He texts Kallis and Boucher most days and holds Kallis in jaw-dropping regard. “I truly believe he is the greatest cricketer ever,” Pietersen said.

He has been thinking about the likely reception this time. “Four years ago, it was pretty hostile,” he said. “I have been back for the ICC World Twenty20 and the Indian Premier League and had some fantastic receptions. I hope people will keep respecting the cricket that is played. Potentially it could be tougher than the Ashes.”

Andy Flower believes that Pietersen will be greeted neutrally at worst; in some places more positively. But the England team director has also suggested that Jonathan Trott, in the same position as Pietersen back then, may be targeted for harsher treatment by crowds that are not always the most broad-minded in the world.

Pietersen explained past differences with Trott as a function of their respective backgrounds at Western Province and Natal. “Those sides are huge rivals,” he said. In the aftermath of England’s victory against Australia at the Brit Oval, the pair chatted for an hour about potential pitfalls this winter.

“I mentioned a few little things he can do that I didn’t, and just tried to guide him to avoid some of my mistakes,” Pietersen said. “I saw him briefly when the guys arrived here and asked how it had been so far. He said: ‘Really good.’ I’ve heard that he has been fantastic in the rooms so far. I don’t envisage any problems.”

But Pietersen does not intend to impose himself as a guardian angel or mentor. He said: “There are a lot of things I could talk to him about, but I am not one of those who goes up to others and says, ‘Do this.’ If he wants to find out, he can come and speak to me. I don’t mind helping anybody, but I won’t force myself.”