Surrey swoop for Pietersen

Kevin Pietersen will be desperate to regain his form during his stint with Surrey ahead of this winter's Ashes series in Australia

Surrey have secured the services of England batsman Kevin Pietersen on loan until the end of the season.

The 30-year-old has been omitted from England’s squads for the NatWest Twenty20 and ODI series against Pakistan, with the selectors believing he will benefit from a stint in county cricket as he looks to find form ahead of this winter’s Ashes.

That has paved the way for Surrey to sign him for the remainder of the campaign after reaching an agreement with Hampshire - at the request of the ECB.

Pietersen announced in June that he would leave Hampshire at the end of the season, since when the club have overlooked him when he has been available for county duty.

He was today omitted from England's Twenty20 and one-day squads for the limited-overs leg of Pakistan's tour, with national selector Geoff Miller claiming Pietersen's game "would be best served by getting as much cricket under his belt as possible" before this winter's Ashes.

Pietersen is hopeful he can repay Surrey by scoring heavily during a brief spell that will see him play a minimum of two Clydesdale Bank 40 matches and two LV= County Championship games.

“I am grateful to be given the opportunity by Surrey to hopefully score some runs and be part of the team in their remaining games this season,” he said.

Surrey professional cricket manager Chris Adams added: “It is great to have someone of the stature and quality of Kevin Pietersen as part of Surrey for the rest of the season.

“I have no doubt that he will have a positive influence both on and off the pitch and we welcome him to the club.”

Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove said: “Hampshire Cricket was quite happy to respond to ECB’s request to loan Kevin to Surrey at short notice.

“We wish him the very best of luck in the future and a rapid return to the form which we know he is capable of.”

Pietersen will make his Surrey debut in tomorrow's floodlit CB40 clash with Worcestershire at New Road.