Pietersen makes 170 on Surrey return

Matthew Rogerson

Pietersen makes 170 on Surrey return image

Kevin Pietersen marked his return to the Surrey team by making 170 off 149 balls against Oxford Marylebone Cricket Club Universities on Sunday.

Pietersen is to play in the County Championship this season in a bid to return to the England set-up, just over a year since his unceremonious sacking following their Ashes whitewash.

And on the first day of a three-day friendly against the student team - some 24 hours before England begin their first Test against West Indies - the 34-year-old looked in fine touch, hitting 24 fours and two sixes.

Pietersen's international career remains in the balance, although he hopes to regain a place in the England squad with performances at club level.

Speaking to Surrey's YouTube channel at the close of play, he said: "I've just got to get my head down and bat and that's all I want to do. And you know what, if it leads to an England recall then [that would be] absolutely fantastic.

"It's obviously a lot of pressure coming into today's game, purely for the fact there's been a bit of a circus.

"It was nice to spend a lot of time out there. I'm just really pleased to have contributed and got some runs."

Surrey get their County Championship campaign under way against Glamorgan on April 19.

Matthew Rogerson