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| Kevin Pietersen ‘absolutely thrilled’ after completing return to Surrey | Kevin Pietersen ‘absolutely thrilled’ after completing return to Surrey |
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| Kevin Pietersen has confirmed he has signed a contract to return to Surrey this summer, and has spoken again of his determination to press for an England recall. | |
| Pietersen cleared the way for a return to The Oval by agreeing a release from the majority of his Indian Premier League contract with Sunrisers Hyderabad – which clashed with the start of the English domestic season – meaning he will now be available for Surrey’s first match against Glamorgan in Cardiff on 19 April. | |
| Encouraged by the new England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Colin Graves’ indication that he may be back in the mix if he can impress again in county cricket, the 34-year-old has two months to prove himself if he is to achieve his dream of a Test recall in time for this summer’s Ashes rematch. | Encouraged by the new England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Colin Graves’ indication that he may be back in the mix if he can impress again in county cricket, the 34-year-old has two months to prove himself if he is to achieve his dream of a Test recall in time for this summer’s Ashes rematch. |
| Pietersen, who said he was “absolutely thrilled to be back at Surrey”, told the Telegraph he would donate his wages to charity. “After all the wonderful days I enjoyed with England, the trophies we won and the runs I scored, I was devastated to end my international career in the manner in which it happened. | |
| “But when I heard Colin Graves say that I would be considered for selection again if I play county cricket and score runs I realised I had the opportunity for a fresh start … I always said this was not about money and I will be donating my full Surrey wage to my foundation.” | |
| Pietersen added: “Even if this does not work out and I do not get back in the England team, I will at least end my career knowing I gave it another shot. I would kick myself for a long time if I walked away now without having a go.” | |
| The controversial South Africa-born batsman’s ambition to play for England again may not depend entirely on him demonstrating form and fitness, but regardless of mixed messages from the ECB, that is where he must start. | |
| He was described by the ECB managing director Paul Downton as “disengaged” during England’s heavy defeat in Sydney almost 15 months ago – his last Test to date, in which the whitewash was completed. | |
| Weeks later, Pietersen was sacked – in a meeting attended by Downton and also the Test captain Alastair Cook. Downton, Cook, the national selector James Whitaker and the returning coach Peter Moores – contrary to the tone of Graves’s remarks – have all reiterated, in their different forms of words, that Pietersen remains firmly on the outside as far as they are concerned. | |
| England embark on a three-Test tour to West Indies, without Pietersen, early next month – and have already been left in no doubt by Graves, set to begin his tenure officially in May, that victory over what he describes as “mediocre” opponents is non-negotiable. | |
| While they are busy with their Caribbean mission, Pietersen has his chance to impress and make headlines on home soil, and therefore put his name back in the mix in time for the start of the Ashes series in July. |