Tuesday 24 March 2015 14:09, UK
Kevin Pietersen has been released from the bulk of his Indian Premier League contract and is set to return to county cricket in a bid to gain selection to the England team.
Pietersen had been signed by Sunrisers Hyderabad for this year’s IPL, but the franchise has now agreed to release him for the league phase – though he could return for the knock-out phase which begin on 19 May, culminating in the final on 24 May.
New England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Colin Graves recently reignited Pietersen's hopes of a return to the international fold.
But a pre-requisite from Graves was that Pietersen must first of all find a way back into county cricket - and then, of course, start scoring runs again.
Pietersen is expected to re-join Surrey for the 2015 season.
Pietersen, who has 104 Test caps, said: “I'm hugely grateful for all the support and understanding I’ve received from everyone at the Sunrisers and the IPL.
“My focus is now very much on the upcoming season in England and I'm absolutely determined to score as many runs as possible.
“I’ve never made any secret of my overwhelming desire to once again represent England and I'm going to do everything in my power to earn a recall to the international set-up.
“To once again put on that England shirt would be a privilege and an honour, but now I have to focus on performing domestically and give myself the best possible chance of meriting selection.”
More to follow...
