Sept. 9: Out-of-form England batsman Kevin Pietersen is seeking permission to join South African provincial team Kwazulu-Natal Inland to prepare for the Ashes, the England and Wales Cricket Board said.
Pietersen wants clearance from Cricket South Africa to return to his former home to play for Kwazulu-Natal Inland in two four-day matches in October. The 30-year-old England star was born in Pietermaritzburg, where Kwazulu-Natal Inland is based.
“I’m extremely keen to get as much cricket as possible under my belt before a challenging and exciting winter,” Pietersen said on Wednesday. “My sole focus is to continue playing a leading role for England and joining Natal is the perfect opportunity to prepare in excellent conditions immediately before the Ashes.
“These two matches would enable me to work on my game against the Kookaburra ball in southern hemisphere conditions which is the ideal preparation for Australia.” Pietersen is currently on loan at Surrey from fellow English county side Hampshire.
He is hoping to play for Kwazulu-Natal Inland against North West from October 7 to10 and against Eastern Province from October 14 to 17 before England’s tour of Australia begins November 5. England team director Andy Flower said: “We’re very pleased Kevin is seeking to get some more high quality cricket in at a crucial period before the Ashes. We are well aware of Kevin’s attention to detail and thoroughness when it comes to preparation and he would gain a great deal from working on his batting against tough opposition in South Africa.”